Clay D. Brittain Jr.

‌Clay D. Brittain Jr., a pioneer in the Myrtle Beach area's tourism industry, was chairman of the board emeritus of the Myrtle Beach National Company and was involved in many leading business enterprises in the Grand Strand area including the Sea Captain's House and the Chesterfield Inn. Brittain died in February 2016.

Born in Winston-Salem, N.C., Brittain attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was active in the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday.

A longtime supporter of Coastal Carolina University, Brittain was named an honorary founder of the University in 1995. He was a member of the Coastal Educational Foundation from 1976 to 2016, and served a term as president. Brittain was instrumental in the establishment of the University's PGA Golf Management Program. In 2001 the Clay Brittain Jr. Center for Resort Tourism was established in the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration. In 2011 the Board of Trustees named a new academic and office building in his honor; Clay Brittain Jr. Hall opened in January 2013.

Brittain was awarded the honorary degree Doctor of Public Service from Coastal Carolina University during the May 2009 commencement ceremony.