McMillan Pazdan Smith

McMillan Pazdan Smith stands as a cornerstone of Southeastern architecture, operating 10 studios throughout the region after seven decades in business. The firm, led by CEO Chad Cousins, employs 450 professionals who specialize in architecture, advisory services, planning and interior design.

The company’s origins trace back to humble beginnings, with founders who “quickly realized the positive impact MPS could make on local economic development,” according to company history. The firm’s mission centered on doing the right thing and giving clients and communities the attention they deserved, establishing a foundation built on the principle that “when you value the people you are in service to, they will value you.”

MPS formed through a strategic 2009 merger of McMillan Smith + Partners, founded in 1955 in Spartanburg, with the Pazdan-Smith Group, established in 1993 in Greenville. The combined entity expanded rapidly, opening studios in Charleston, Asheville, Atlanta and Charlotte. The firm’s excellence earned recognition as ENR’s Southeast Firm of the Year in 2019 and AIA SC’s Firm Award recipient in 2024.

Strategic acquisitions have strengthened MPS’s regional presence, with the company joining forces with established firms in Charleston, Columbia, Augusta and Huntsville. These partnerships expanded both expertise and geographic reach while maintaining the firm’s commitment to community-focused service.

The company’s workplace culture emphasizes design excellence through regular forums for idea-sharing, mentorship and peer-to-peer learning. Studios are embedded in their respective communities and designed as healthy, collaborative environments prioritizing team wellness. Professional development initiatives support employee retention across all locations.

Community engagement remains central to MPS’s identity. As a community-based firm, the company works with neighbors and encourages team members to invest money, resources and time back into their communities. The MPS stewardship initiative provides tools to help communities thrive through integrated approaches.

Recent strategic moves position MPS for continued growth. In 2024, the firm entered a growth equity partnership to boost both organic and acquisitive expansion. Core leadership represents all business aspects: human resources, business development, finance, design, delivery and technology. This structure, combined with a balanced mix of public and private work, provides stability and has helped establish MPS as a region-leading firm.

The company operates from its Greenville headquarters, maintaining its commitment to creating meaningful impact for the good of all communities it serves.