Architecture and engineering firm Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) recently announced promotions of key individuals to firmwide leadership roles.
Galen Thackston has been named president of GMC subsidiary Headwaters; Chris Engel has been appointed as COO; and Marc Warren has been named executive vice president of architecture. In addition, the firm announced the development of new leadership roles, naming Abby Basinger as vice president of people and culture and Jim Teel as vice president of market strategy. Jason Harper has also been tapped to lead governmental relations as vice president within the market strategy division.
Thackston has served as GMC’s COO since 2018. In his new role as president of Headwaters, a wholly owned subsidiary of GMC, he is focused on the strategic direction and growth of the company, which provides mitigation banking services to restore, enhance and preserve natural resources as a means to offset impacts of future development. Having started GMC’s environmental division in 1993 and being one of the founders of Headwaters, Thackston has extensive experience in every aspect of the mitigation banking process, from establishing and permitting, through construction and credit sales. Additionally, Thackston was appointed to serve as chairman of GMC’s board of directors for the next two years.
Engel led GMC’s architecture team as executive vice president for the last decade prior to his appointment as COO. The architecture team surpassed $100 million in revenue in 2024 and has grown to comprise more than 200 design professionals located throughout the Southeast. Under Engel’s leadership, GMC has been afforded opportunities to design some of the firm’s most notable and impactful projects throughout the region, ranging from education, healthcare, sports and municipal buildings, to major industrial, justice and commercial developments.
Warren has been tapped to lead as the new executive vice president of architecture. Based in Columbia, South Carolina, he has nearly three decades of experience and has led GMC’s architecture operations in the Carolinas since 2017. Since that time, the team has worked on award-winning and recognizable projects such as the South Carolina Governor’s Mansion renovation; Clemson University Softball Complex and Nieri Family Alumni and Visitors Center; Aiken County Schools Graniteville and Millbrook elementary schools; and many more. He has earned a high level of respect in the industry, including being named to the “Architects Power List” by SC Biz News in 2021, recognizing the top architects in South Carolina.
“Galen, Chris and Marc have led exceptionally well in their respective positions over the years and have been key players in the firm’s strategic growth,” CEO Jeffrey Brewer said. “They each have unique gifts that I believe will be realized even further as they take on these new roles and will continue to have a tremendous impact on our people and the communities we serve.”
Additionally, GMC announced the creation of new firmwide leadership roles to bolster the support of its people and strategic growth.
Basinger has been selected to serve as vice president of people and culture. She has led the corporate communications team since its inception in 2021, allowing her to connect with employees firmwide. Having been with GMC for more than 12 years, Basinger possesses a deep understanding of the firm’s culture at an operational level and is intentional about developing relationships both internally and externally. As leader of people and culture, she’ll continue to be responsible for corporate communications, in addition to learning and development, as well as other firmwide initiatives dedicated to serving GMC’s people.
Teel has been appointed as vice president of market strategy. For the last 10 years, he has served as regional vice president of Georgia, growing the team to more than 100 professionals in five offices throughout the state. As the leader of market strategy, he will be responsible for directing the internal marketing team, external marketing, brand positioning, business development and the newly formed governmental relations division.
Harper has been selected to lead the firm’s governmental relations efforts as vice president. Hehas an extensive background in public service, including serving in Congressman Robert Aderholt’s office and government affairs at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) prior to joining GMC in 2019. Harper has a firm grasp of project funding mechanisms and grant programs, along with an innate ability to connect clients with appropriate opportunities to help bring their projects to fruition.
“We’re at our best when we’re able to match people’s strengths with their passions,” Brewer said. “Having Abby, Jim and Jason in these leadership positions does exactly that, and I’m excited for the continued impact they will continue to have going forward in their new roles.”
About Goodwyn Mills Cawood
Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) is one of the largest architecture and engineering firms in the Southeast. Whether designing schools, parks, hospitals and other commercial developments, or providing clean water, safe streets and restoring resilient environments, GMC takes great pride in serving our communities through the transformative work we do. Every project is guided by the foundational concept that communities are built by people, not companies, and we strive to serve our communities with quality, integrity, creativity and care. One of the Southeast’s most comprehensive multi-disciplined firms, GMC is equipped to provide all the services associated with architecture; interior design; civil engineering; environmental services; landscape architecture; planning; transportation engineering; geotechnical engineering; mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering; surveying; and disaster recovery. www.gmcnetwork.com
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