Chad Cousins leads McMillan Pazdan Smith, a 451-employee architecture firm experiencing significant growth across the Southeast. Under his leadership, the firm received AIA South Carolina’s prestigious Firm Award in October 2024 and has expanded through three strategic acquisitions in 2025, establishing offices in West Columbia, Huntsville and Columbus.

A Clemson University economics graduate, Cousins began his career installing ERP systems in construction businesses nationwide, gaining valuable industry experience before joining the architecture sector. His leadership style reflects advice from a mentor who told him he’s more of a “wartime general” than a “peacetime general,” meaning he thrives as a builder seeking bold goals.

Cousins serves as board chair of the Greenville Tech Foundation and sits on United Community Bank’s Community Advisory Board. He previously chaired boards for Greater Greenville Youth Tennis Association and Greenville Classical Academy and served as a loaned executive for United Way of Greenville County.

Notable firm projects include Le Creuset, Furman Blackwell Residence Hall, The Cooper, Prisma MACC and Spartanburg Judicial Center.

C Dinos Liollio serves as principal at Liollio Architecture, a 31-employee firm approaching its 70th anniversary in 2026. As the firm transitions into third-generation leadership, Liollio will assume principal emeritus status effective December 31, 2025.

An Auburn University graduate who earned the Alpha Rho Chi Medal of Honor, Liollio was elected to the College of Fellows in the American Institute of Architects in 2017, a distinction held by only 3% of membership. Under his leadership, Liollio Architecture became the ninth South Carolina firm to receive the AIA South Carolina Firm Award in 2016, accumulating more than 125 design awards.

“Understanding the legacy for which you wish to be remembered… and never lose sight that persistence and hard work is the pathway in defining that legacy,” he says.

Current projects include the $200 million MUSC Nexton Hospital, the $143 million College of Medicine complex, and the $100 million College of Charleston St. Phillip Street Housing.

His community service includes serving as parish council president of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, membership on Charleston’s Design Review Board, and appointment to the Charleston 9 Memorial Commission.

Scott Garvin leads Garvin Design Group, an architecture firm celebrating 22 years of design excellence. Garvin earned both a Bachelor of Science in Design and a Master of Architecture with honors from Clemson University.

Under Garvin’s leadership, the 22-person firm has designed high-profile projects including Hilton’s $200 million Ocean 23 Resort in Myrtle Beach, GATHER COLA in the BullStreet District and the Lantern Hotel in downtown Columbia. The firm has also completed major university projects at Clemson and Coastal Carolina.

Garvin has received numerous recognitions including the 2025 Mabel Payne Award from the City of Columbia Planning Division, induction into Columbia Business Monthly’s 50 Most Influential Hall of Fame and the 2022 Historic Columbia Preservation Leadership Award.

He serves in leadership positions with the Clemson University Board of Visitors Legislative Committee, the Vista Property Owners Association BID Committee and the Main Street District Board of Directors. Garvin defines success as ensuring clients feel invested in the design process. “Success for me is taking care of the people that I work with and making their lives better,” Garvin said.

Lura DiAntonio Godfrey brings more than 30 years of architecture experience across Spartanburg, Greer, Atlanta and Greenville. DiAntonio Godfrey has led institutional and residential projects throughout Georgia and South Carolina, specializing in renovations and additions to churches, private schools and homes. Her expertise spans space planning, interior finishes and managing project stakeholder groups of varying sizes.

As a small business owner for almost two decades, DiAntonio Godfrey focuses on understanding client needs upfront, deciphering their vision and translating those needs into effective solutions.

Beyond her professional practice, DiAntonio Godfrey serves on multiple community boards, including the Greenville Middle Academy PTA and SIC, City of Greenville Design Review Board, Neighborhood Panel and Rebuild Upstate Advisory Council. She also participates in the city’s connections for sustainability housing focus team and remains active at Trinity Lutheran Church.

DiAntonio Godfrey earned a Master of Architecture from Washington University in 1998 and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Clemson University in 1996.

Tara Brenton Hile earned her Bachelor of Architecture from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2002. She now leads SHLTR Architects, LLC as principal and owner, guiding a team of 12 employees through the complexities of modern architectural practice.

Brenton Hile’s professional foundation was built at an unlikely place — a small family-owned meat-and-three diner, where she learned to navigate diverse personalities and master multitasking. These early lessons proved invaluable in entrepreneurship, teaching her that in small businesses, everyone must contribute beyond their job descriptions to ensure success.

Today, she identifies the escalating cost of construction projects — including materials, labor and interest rates — as the architecture industry’s most significant challenge. For Brenton Hile, success is measured by balance: being a devoted mother, running a thriving business and maintaining self-care. “When I hit the balance, I feel happy along with the people in my life,” she said.

Despite extensive world travels, Brenton Hile finds her greatest contentment at home with a good book.

Blake Middleton, AIA, leads The Middleton Group as principal, guiding the 14-person architecture firm through an industry shaped by interest rates and construction costs.

Middleton earned a Bachelor of Science in Design from Clemson University. His professional foundation began at a hardware store, where he developed knowledge of electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems that continues to inform his approach to architecture and DIY projects.

His leadership philosophy centers on strategic business development. “As a business owner, I should spend my time working on the business rather than in it,” Middleton said, explaining this means focusing on developing new projects and client relationships rather than working directly on projects.

Middleton defines success as creating a business that runs efficiently and generates wealth while allowing him to control his schedule and maintain work-life balance with family time.

He serves on the ULI Rethinking Southern Cities Council. Outside the office, Middleton’s ideal downtime involves boating, with a passion for sailing.

Heather Mitchell leads Boudreaux, a 26-person architecture firm specializing in education and community design. Mitchell earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Virginia and a Master of Architecture from Syracuse University.

Under Mitchell’s leadership, Boudreaux is advancing projects including the University of South Carolina Health Sciences Campus at the BullStreet District and student residences for USC. The firm recently welcomed Justin Abrams as principal and partner.

Mitchell chairs the Main Street District and serves on the Columbia Areas Development Partnership Board. She has been a Midlands Business Leadership Group member since 2011 and serves on its executive committee. Mitchell is a Liberty Fellowship alumna and has served on boards including the Columbia Chamber.

“True success isn’t measured solely by personal achievements or completed projects — it’s measured by the impact we leave behind and the people we lift up along the way,” Mitchell said.

An avid triathlete, Mitchell has visited every South Carolina state park with her family.

Brad Smith earned three degrees from Clemson University: a Bachelor of Architecture, a Bachelor of Science in Building Science and Management and a Bachelor of Science in Design.

He began his career in the print room at Lockwood Green Engineers and Architects, where he gained exposure to project documentation and teamwork. Smith later co-founded McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture, which now employs 451 people across multiple states.

Under Smith’s leadership, the firm acquired South Carolina’s oldest practicing architecture firm, Jumper Carter Sease, in June 2025 and expanded into Alabama and Georgia through additional acquisitions. Notable projects include Le Creuset, Furman Blackwell Residence Hall, Prisma MACC and the Spartanburg Judicial Center.

Smith has served on numerous boards, including as chairman of Hospice House of Greenville and past president of the Cancer Society of Greenville County and Greenville Section American Institute of Architects. He chaired South Carolina’s State Board of Architectural Examiners from 2010 to 2012 and 2021 to 2022. In 2023, he received the Clemson Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award.

Brian Thomas traded New Hampshire winters for Clemson orange, pursuing architecture degrees far from family and friends. Thomas earned a Bachelor of Science in Design from Clemson University in 1991, followed by a Master of Architecture in 1993. He joined DP3 Architects that same year and has remained with the firm for more than three decades, advancing to principal.

Thomas focuses on ensuring the company’s core beliefs of response and service guide daily operations. His work with team members and clients provides the energy that keeps him engaged in the profession. Outside the office, Thomas pursues diverse interests including attending concerts, sampling craft beer and attempting to master his growing collection of bass guitars. The New England native has found his professional home in Greenville, where he continues leading architectural projects while maintaining his connection to both his roots and his adopted South Carolina community.