Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood and Michael Keeshen & Associates Announce Merger
September 14, 2011
GREENVILLE, SC – September 14, 2011 – Two award winning design firms, Michael Keeshen & Associates, Inc. (MKA) and Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, Inc. (GMC), are joining forces to form a stronger GMC South Carolina presence. Located in Greenville, the South Carolina office of GMC will offer its diversified clients a wealth of experience in project management, architectural design, and engineering services. Architectural Record ranks GMC as 163rd of the top 250 architectural/engineering firms in the country, and Engineering News Record lists GMC at 282nd on its list of 500 foremost national design firms.
“We are excited about this opportunity to serve our clients better, as this merger expands our resources and strengthens our market presence,” said Kevin Laird, P. E., and Vice President of Greenville Operations for GMC. “This creates a tremendous amount of momentum for our combined team, and we plan to continue to strategically expand our presence in South Carolina even in the current economic times.”
“This partnership combines the depth and expertise of both offices, and provides our clients with a broader range of design talent and full engineering services,” said Mike Keeshen, AIA, LEED® AP. “We value our personal relationships with and responsiveness to our clients. This merger positions us as a strong regional presence which further deepens the resources we offer existing and prospective clients.”
With offices in Greenville, SC; Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, and Huntsville, AL; Fort Walton Beach, FL; and Nashville, TN, GMC looks to create a larger and more robust presence in South Carolina by adding MKA in order to capitalize on opportunities for new growth and development.
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Mike Keeshen and his staff, and we share a simple, common belief: listen to your clients and deliver high quality services in a responsive manner,” said Laird.
For the time being, the GMC team has moved into the MKA office space at 101 East Washington Street, Suite 320. The combined team will move to a new office located in downtown Greenville in the near future.
About Michael Keeshen & Associates
In 2000, Michael Keeshen (pictured left) founded his architectural practice on the strong belief that good design is a collaborative and creative relationship between clients and architects. For over 30 years, his vision and design leadership have encompassed a wide range of notable projects, including the Medical University of South Carolina’s Microbiology and Immunology Center; Clemson University’s Littlejohn Coliseum, Doug Kingsmore Stadium, and Rhodes Hall Biomedical Annex; and Greenville County’s Phoenix Academy Adolescent Treatment Facility.
Prior to establishing his firm in 2000, Keeshen was a Vice-President at HOK Architects where he spearheaded the design of the Greenville County Courthouse, the South Carolina Archives and History Center, and Woodside Conference Center at the TD Convention Center (formerly the Palmetto Expo Center).
Keeshen is active in the community, having served as President of the South Carolina AIA and the North Greenville Rotary Club, and as Chairman of the Greenville Board of Zoning Appeals and the Donaldson Center Commission.
MKA specializes in higher education, athletic, K-12, and government/civic facilities, as well as planning, programming, and interior design. As one of the first LEED® accredited architects in South Carolina, Keeshen and his firm are leaders in sustainable design, having completed five LEED® certified projects. The firm’s first Platinum certified project, the Blue Wall Center, is in the planning stages.
MKA is made up of talented, dedicated professionals with a reputation for leadership and personalized service. The firm’s success is the result of design excellence and creative client partnerships that enhance accountability, efficiency, and sustainability.
Notable MKA projects include Clemson University’s Greek Housing Complex; USC Upstate’s G.B. Hodge Arena Renovation; Clemson University’s Packaging Science Building; and Greenville County School District’s League, Lakeview, Greenville, Tanglewood, Ralph Chandler, and Beck Middle Schools.
About Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood
Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, Inc. is one of the Southeast’s largest privately held engineering and architecture firms and offers a diversified portfolio of architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, civic, municipal, environmental, geotechnical, and transportation engineering, along with planning and surveying services. The firm’s heritage and culture have grown from the important intertwining of diverse legacies, from the sharing of experience and knowledge between respected leaders and upcoming young leaders, and from decades of entrepreneurial spirit and innovative drive.
The firm was established in 1975 by Don Mills and George Goodwyn as an engineering business that later partnered with Steve Cawood to form the present Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood. In the 1980s, GMC began the evolution into a multi-disciplined firm when architecture was incorporated into the firm’s services. Later, landscape architecture, transportation engineering and environmental engineering were added to the firm’s menu of services.
The Greenville, SC office was founded by Clemson University graduates Kevin Laird and Michael Allen in 2007 and has since completed projects spanning North and South Carolina.
Notable Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood projects include the Duke Energy Innovation Center; City of Iva Sewer Rehabilitation; Anderson County Economic Development Strategic Plan; Troy University Trojan Arena; Auburn University South Donahue Residence Hall; and the Montgomery Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center.
For more information, visit www.gmcnetwork.com.
