Creative business and community leadership at Tryon Fine Arts Center continues as the Board of Directors welcomes new members to the team led by Board President Timothy H. Brannon.  The Board of Directors of this 45-year-old nonprofit is comprised of business, civic, and philanthropic leaders representing a broad range of experience and expertise to oversee management of the facility.
Joining the Board are Andy Millard, Scott Pleune, Joyce Pratt, Marybeth Trunk, and Mary Thompson.  “Our resourceful and knowledgeable Board has helped TFAC generate new programming in film, the amphitheater and Arts in Education resulting in an 80% increase of activities at the center in 2013,” said TFAC Executive Director Beth Child.  “We are excited to see where our newest members will lead us as we continue to evolve and expand our mission as a community arts center.”
Andy Millard brings a vast knowledge of the community reflected in the wide variety of personal and professional experience he has had.   Andy and his wife Sharon moved to the area in 1992.  He served as the first principal of the consolidated Polk County High School, combining two student bodies and faculties.  Millard has generously contributed his organizational and communication skills to the community through service as President of the Foothills Chamber, Chairman of the Barbecue Festival, and president of the Kiwanis Club of Tryon.   A published author in the financial field, Millard is currently Owner and President of Millard & Company in downtown Tryon.
Scott Pleune brings over 40 years of experience in sales, marketing, business development, management, and  strategic planning.  Scott currently works with Priority Metrics Group (PMG), a market research and consulting firm in Spartanburg.  He is responsible for new business development — developing and supporting Packing Industry research opportunities for PMG. Originally from Michigan, Pleune is a graduate of University of Michigan with a BS in Industrial Engineering.   Scott and his wife Gay have owned property in Polk County for over 20 years and have lived fulltime at Lake Adger since 2010.
Originally from Scotland, Joyce Pratt comes to Tryon via Greenville, India, Germany, Paris and London with a resume that includes modeling in London, a degree from the Sorbonne in French Civilization and a Master’s degree in German, philosophy and medieval English. Joyce also served as a volunteer in India with Mother Theresa’s homes before moving to Greenville where she became a realtor.  While living in Greenville, Joyce served on several non-profit Boards including the Metropolitan Arts Council.  Joyce and her husband Michael moved to Tryon where she is currently developing products for her wholesale clothing store called Silk ’n Alpaca.
Mary Thompson has lived in the foothills area since 1991.  Before retiring to Tryon where she built a horse farm with her first husband Richard, Mary lived in Chicago and worked with Xerox Corporation as a legal market Sales Specialist.  Richard’s career took them to Connecticut where they raised their daughter Jennifer.  While in Connecticut, Mary worked in real estate, while actively volunteering for organizations in the West Port area, including chairing a fundraiser for Paul Newman’s “Hole in the Wall Gang Camp”.  Mary and her husband David live in Tryon.
Marybeth Trunk comes to the TFAC board table with experience in the visual arts as an artist, art teacher, and avoid supporter of the visual arts.  A member of numerous art societies, she has also been affiliated with Tryon Painters and Sculptors for several years.  As an artist Marybeth focuses on still life and landscapes, exhibiting and selling her own work locally.  Marybeth and her husband Jim have lived in the area since 1997, serving the community through volunteer work with Hospice of the Carolina Foothills and tutoring in local elementary schools.
The 2013 Executive Leadership of the TFAC Board includes
President:   Tim Brannon
Vice President of Operations:  Christopher Bartol
VP of Programming: Kevin Brode
VP of Development: Scott Pleune
Treasurer:  David Cornelius
Secretary:  Michael Gron.
Tryon Fine Arts Center, a nonprofit organization on Melrose Avenue in the heart of Tryon, operates a 315-seat performance venue and a 150-seat amphitheater for the programming of lectures, music, opera, theatre, and dance, as well as a gallery, classrooms and meeting room.    Opened in February 1969, TFAC is the vision of philanthropist Violet Parish-Watson.  In addition to programming for a wide variety of audiences, TFAC also brings visual and performing arts experiences to local students through education and outreach programs.    For more information, visit www.tryonarts.org or call 828-859-8322.                                                                                                                                      The following are short thoughts from the new members:  Joyce Pratt: “I am delighted to be part of such a vibrant and proactive part of the Tryon Arts Community. The Tryon Fine Arts Centre plays such an important part in the life of Tryon, both culturally and educationally, pulling all elements of the community together.   It is a great honor to be asked to participate in such an organization.”
Mary Thompson:  “I am very pleased to be a new member of the board of TFAC.  I hope my efforts working with this unique and wonderful facility will help assure that the creative talents present in our community and elsewhere will have exposure beneficial both to our community and to the artists themselves.”
Marybeth Trunk:  “I am honored and pleased to join the TFAC Board at this time.  The growing emphasis on visual arts programs and the next planned phase of expansion make it a very exciting period to be involved.  I look forward to becoming part of such a knowledgeable group of people dedicated to furthering the arts in our community.”
Scott Pleune: “My parents became permanent residents of Tryon in 1987.   As a result, my wife and I have long been aware of Tryon’s strong support for the arts.  Since moving to the area full-time, we have been able to enjoy many of the wonderful events sponsored by TFAC, and have discussed opportunities for the expansion of their offerings.  By getting involved at the Board level, I plan to find ways to help TFAC execute these expansions – both in its facilities and its broad offerings to local citizens, as well as visitors lucky enough to have discovered this very special part of the Southeast.”
Andy Millard:  “I’m happy to be joining such a distinguished group, one that is doing great things for a great organization. I have a few ideas that I might pop out at some point, but for now I’m just learning the ropes.”