Board of Directors

H. Michael Schwartz is Founder, Chairman and CEO of SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (SmartStop), a self-managed REIT with a fully integrated operations team of approximately 450 self storage professionals focused on growing the SmartStop® Self Storage brand. SmartStop was recognized as the top three- and five-year annualized total return performer among non-traded Lifecycle REITs in the summer and fall 2022 issues of THE IPA/STANGER MONITOR™. SmartStop, through a wholly owned subsidiary, also sponsors other self storage programs, including Strategic Storage Growth Trust III, Inc. and Strategic Storage Trust VI, Inc. SmartStop is the eleventh-largest self storage company in the U.S., with an owned and managed portfolio of over 175 properties in 22 states and Toronto, Canada.

In 2007, Mr. Schwartz founded Strategic Storage Trust, Inc., a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed self storage company, owning and/or operating 169 self storage properties in 21 states and Toronto, Canada. In 2015, Mr. Schwartz negotiated the $1.4 billion sale to Extra Space Storage, Inc., the second-largest storage operator in the United States. In January 2019, he successfully negotiated a second full-cycle REIT liquidity event with the all-cash merger of Strategic Storage Growth Trust, Inc. with Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc. for $12.00 per share. Over the past seven years, Mr. Schwartz has overseen the return of approximately $1.2 billion of equity and profits to investors. Mr. Schwartz has more than 32 years of experience in real estate, securities and corporate financial management. During the last 20 years, he has transacted more than $6.5 billion in commercial real estate. He is a renowned expert who is frequently invited to speak at national conferences and has been interviewed by major news media.

Mr. Schwartz holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with an emphasis in finance, from the University of Southern California.

Ms. Mathews has been a member of SmartStop’s board of directors since January 2016. Previously, Ms. Mathews served as SmartStop’s Secretary and an Executive Vice President from SmartStop’s formation until June 2018. Ms. Mathews also served as Executive Vice President of the Former External Advisor from January 2013 until June 2018. She currently serves as an Executive Vice President of SSSHT. In addition, she served as an Executive Vice President and Secretary of SSGT and SST IV, and Secretary of SSSHT, until June 2018. Ms. Mathews is an Executive Vice President of SAM. Ms. Mathews served as an Executive Vice President and Assistant Secretary for SmartStop Self Storage, positions she held from August 2007 and June 2011, respectively, until the merger of SmartStop Self Storage with Extra Space on October 1, 2015. Since January 2008, Ms. Mathews has also served as Secretary for SSH. Since 2005, she has also served as Vice President - Commercial Operations for Strategic Capital Holdings, LLC. Prior to joining Strategic Capital Holdings, LLC, Ms. Mathews was a private consultant from 2003 to 2005 providing due diligence services on the acquisition and disposition of assets for real estate firms. Prior to that, Ms. Mathews held senior level executive positions with several pension investment advisors, including the following: a real estate company specializing in 1031 transactions from 2002 to 2003 where she was the Director of Operations; KBS Realty Advisors from 1995 to 2001 where she was responsible for the management of $600 million in “value added” commercial assets in seven states; TCW Realty Advisors (now CBRE Investors) from 1985 to 1992 as a Senior Vice President where her focus was retail assets within closed end equity funds; and PMRealty Advisors from 1983 to 1985 in a portfolio management role. She began her real estate career in 1977 with The Irvine Company, the largest land holder in Orange County, California, where she held several positions within the Commercial/Industrial Division structuring industrial build-to-suits, ground leases and land sales. Ms. Mathews holds a B.S. degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Mr. Morris is one of SmartStop’s independent directors and is a member and Chairman of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Morris previously served as an independent director of SmartStop Self Storage from February 2008 until the merger of SmartStop Self Storage with Extra Space on October 1, 2015. Mr. Morris has more than 30 years of financial and management experience with several international organizations. In March 2019, Mr. Morris became the Director of Finance and Operations of the English-Speaking Union, a charity which helps underprivileged children with speaking and listening skills. In March 2014, Mr. Morris assumed a part-time Mr. Morris founded AMDG Worldwide Ltd., a consultancy business for the philanthropic sector. From June 2007 to April 2008, Mr. Morris was the Chief Financial Officer for Geneva Global, Inc., a philanthropic advisor and broker which invests funds into developing countries. Prior to joining Geneva Global, Inc., from 2002 to June 2007, Mr. Morris was the director of corporate services for Care International UK Ltd. where he was responsible for the finance, internal audit, risk management, human resources, legal insurance and information technology functions during the financial turnaround period of that organization. From 2000 to 2002, Mr. Morris was the Controller for Royal Society Mencap, a learning disability charity. From 1996 to 1999, Mr. Morris was the head of global management reporting for Adidas Group AG in Germany and was later the International Controller for Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc., a subsidiary of Adidas Group AG. Prior to 1996, Mr. Morris held various management and senior finance roles within organizations such as the International Leisure Group, Halliburton/KBR and the Bank for International Settlements in Basel, Switzerland. Mr. Morris has his Bachelor of Science in Economics from Bristol University in the United Kingdom, his MBA from the Cranfield School of Management in the United Kingdom, and he is a Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA).

Mr. Mueller is one of SmartStop’s independent directors and is a member and Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Mueller has more than 25 years of financial management experience with several firms in the financial services industry. In June 2009, Mr. Mueller founded his own CPA firm, specializing in consulting, audit, and tax services for small businesses and non-profits, where he continues to serve as Managing Partner. From June 2001 to May 2009, he worked for Manulife Financial Corporation, serving in several capacities including Controller of Annuities and Chief Financial Officer of Distribution for Manulife Wood Logan, where he was heavily involved in the company’s due diligence and subsequent integration with John Hancock Financial Services. Prior to his time with Manulife Financial Corporation, Mr. Mueller served as Chief Financial Officer of Allmerica Financial Services, the insurance and investment arm of Allmerica Financial Corporation. He began his career in the Boston office of Coopers and Lybrand, specializing in financial services, real estate, and non-profits. Mr. Mueller is a CPA and graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in Finance.

Mr. Perry is one of SmartStop’s independent directors and is a member and Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and a member of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee. Mr. Perry previously served as one of SmartStop’s independent directors from October 2013 until June 2014 and served as an independent director of SmartStop Self Storage from February 2008 until the merger of SmartStop Self Storage with Extra Space on October 1, 2015. Mr. Perry has over 40 years of financial accounting, management and consulting experience for domestic and international organizations in the real estate industry. He is currently the Executive Managing Director of Real Globe Advisors, LLC, a commercial real estate advisory firm which he founded. Mr. Perry also held the same position with Real Globe Advisors, LLC from July 2007 to June 2009. From June 2009 to March 2011, he was the Managing Director of Alvarez & Marsal Real Estate Advisory Services. From 1995 to June 2007, Mr. Perry was a national partner in Ernst & Young LLP’s Transactional Real Estate Advisory Services Group and held a number of leadership positions within Ernst & Young. While at Ernst & Young, he handled complex acquisition and disposition due diligence matters for private equity funds and corporate clients, complex real estate portfolio optimization studies, and monetization strategies within the capital markets arena, including valuation of self storage facilities. Prior to 1995, Mr. Perry headed the Real Estate Consulting Practice of the Chicago office of Kenneth Leventhal & Co. Prior to his time with Kenneth Leventhal & Co., Mr. Perry was a senior principal with Pannell Kerr Forester, a national accounting and consulting firm specializing in the hospitality industry. He is a CPA and holds an MAI designation with the Appraisal Institute and a CRE designation with the Counselors of Real Estate. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Russian and Economics from the University of Illinois, and has a Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in finance from Loyola University in Illinois.