GMC celebrated its first annual internal awards program – the Goodwyns. Stated in GMC’s 2030 plan, the firm is dedicated to celebrating the creativity and innovative spirit of its employees. The Goodwyns aim to showcase work across the firm’s multi-disciplined footprint, celebrating those whose hard work and dedication demonstrate GMC’s values of creativity, integrity, quality, and care.
The Goodwyns also serve as the new program for the George Goodwyn Building Communities Award and Beasley-McClure Technical Excellence Award, in addition to new project awards. GMC has added three Outstanding Project of the Year awards, plus three additional project awards, to honor multiple projects across its disciplines that illustrate GMC’s expertise in building thriving communities and its commitment to fostering a positive work environment. These awards will celebrate GMC’s multidisciplinary work, technical value, and firm culture.
Goodwyns Outstanding Projects of the Year 2026
General Building/ Community Spaces: UAB Science & Engineering Complex
UAB’s Science & Engineering Complex is the primary research and teaching facility for the University’s biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering departments. The project includes plazas, a green roof, and courtyard spaces that contribute to making a distinct place within UAB’s campus. GMC disciplines include architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture. GMC offices include Birmingham and Greenville.
Infrastructure/Public Works: SCTAC-High Speed Loop
The SCTAC – High Speed Loop is a 3-mile oval track made to accommodate sustained speeds of 75 mph for large commercial vehicles, 139 mph for passenger vehicles and up to 25% cross slopes on the turns. The project scope included grading, stormwater management, specialized asphalt surfacing, and an underground tunnel for vehicles to access the track without disrupting operations. GMC disciplines include MEP, site civil engineering, environmental services, and transportation engineering. GMC offices include Greenville.
Specialized Project Types: Dauphin Island East End Beach & Dune Restoration
The Dauphin Island East End Beach & Dune Restoration encompasses more than one million cubic yards of sand placed to create 400 extra feet of beach width and 60 acres of beach habitat. This process not only reformed the shoreline but also facilitated the creation of thousands of new dunes as the sand was brought to the shore. GMC disciplines include coastal engineering, site civil engineering, surveying, environmental services, and geotechnical engineering. GMC offices include Mobile, Daphne and Montgomery.
GMC also awarded a Superpower Project, Sustainability in Design and Community Impact Award. GMC’s Superpower is the ability to remain feeling local while staying technically excellent and projects that received this award exemplify local connections through a GMC office or employee, as well as show the firm’s technique and design. The Sustainability in Design Award recognized a project that went beyond executing sustainability goals, demonstrating forward-thinking approaches and taking initiatives to reduce environmental impact. The Community Impact Award highlights GMC’s mission of building communities. This winner reflects how a project enhanced a community or client’s social, economic, or sustainable development and is making a memorable difference in the community it serves.
Superpower Award: Augusta Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief and Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport Runway Relocation
Hurricane Helene brought utter devastation across the South and was ranked as one of the worst natural disasters in history for Augusta, Georgia. It left 75% to 90% of the tree canopy destroyed, thousands without power, and millions of cubic yards of debris strewn everywhere. With GMC having an office in Augusta, this one hit especially close to home – literally. We talk all the time about getting to serve the communities where we live, and this couldn’t be truer here. Through the trust of established local relationships built by the Augusta team, coupled with the Disaster Recovery team’s deep knowledge and expertise, they were able to successfully help the city recover and continue to do so in many ways today. GMC disciplines include disaster recovery, transportation engineering, and corporate services. GMC offices include Augusta, Auburn, Mobile, Montgomery, and Atlanta.
The Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport Runway Relocation represents one of the most significant general aviation infrastructure investments completed in Tennessee in recent years. More than a runway reconstruction, the approximately $22 million program transformed a constrained airfield into a safer, more capable regional gateway while positioning the airport for decades of future growth. This project is an outstanding example of GMC’s ability to combine the responsiveness of a local partner with the technical capabilities of a nationally recognized aviation engineering firm. GMC disciplines include geotechnical engineering, transportation engineering, environmental services, and planning. GMC offices include Brentwood, Nashville, and Birmingham.
Sustainability in Design: Dauphin Island East End Beach & Dune Restoration
Beaches are inherently sustainable, and that’s no different for the Dauphin Island East End Beach & Dune Restoration. However, when we interfere with natural processes along the coast, we must intercede to help restore, enhance, and/or manage the system. This project was designed to be resilient and sustainable in a manner that accounts for the local coastal processes that shape this portion of Dauphin Island, as well as accounting for some of the not-so-natural changes that are the byproduct of dredge material management in and around the Mobile Ship Channel.
Community Impact Award: Iva Branch Library Renovation
The Iva Branch Library Renovation transformed a vacant former fire station into a modern, 4,000-square-foot public library in the heart of downtown Iva, serving a community that lacked a contemporary, accessible library facility. The completed facility offers internet access, a full book and materials collection, circulation services, flexible classroom and event spaces, and comfortable seating for reading, research, or remote work. GMC disciplines include architecture, interior design, and site civil engineering. GMC offices include Greenville.
George Goodwyn Building Communities Award and Beasley-McClure Technical Excellence Award
The George Goodwyn Building Communities Award is presented annually to a GMC employee who exemplifies outstanding leadership and a commitment to community service. They embody GMC’s mission of “creating opportunities for our people and the people we serve to build communities that thrive” and live out GMC’s core values in all that they do. The inaugural award was presented in 2014 to George Goodwyn, being recognized as an individual who continuously goes above and beyond to serve his community.
The Beasley – McClure Technical Excellence Award is named for two longtime employees and pillars of GMC, Chris Beasley and Bobby McClure. Chris unexpectedly passed away in September 2024 and was a key member of GMC’s architecture team in Montgomery for 35+ years; he represented technical excellence in every way. The caliber of work he produced was superior, and his work ethic and diligence in the profession were truly unprecedented. Bobby was one of GMC’s earliest employees, even working under all three of GMC’s founders at some point during his career. Over the course of his more than 40 years of service here, he was the resident water/wastewater treatment expert. Though he retired in 2025, his legacy has lived on through the numerous people at GMC he mentored throughout his time here and the example he set for so many.
George Goodwyn Building Communities Award: Lee Walters, PWS – Regional Vice President in Mobile, Alabama
Below are a few excerpts from Lee’s nominations.
• Lee Walters represents the heart of the George Goodwyn Building Communities Award. He leads with humility, cares deeply about people, and has consistently used his time and influence to strengthen GMC and the communities around him. For Lee, service is not something separate from his work. It is part of how he leads every day.
• Inside GMC, Lee has helped create an office culture where people feel supported, valued, and encouraged to grow. He makes himself available to others, whether they need advice, encouragement, or simply someone willing to listen.
• Lee’s vision, compassion, and quiet commitment to serving others have created a lasting legacy that will continue to benefit our employees, our communities, and GMC for years to come. His leadership demonstrates that the most meaningful acts of service are often those carried out without seeking recognition, but simply because they are the right thing to do.
• He serves without expectation of receiving anything in return, and, on the contrary, is more inclined to shy away from instances where this may be the case or the expectation. He wants zero recognition for the things he does, and is always putting others before himself.
Beasley-McClure Technical Excellence Award: George Williams, AIA – Architecture in Pensacola, Florida, Jeff Fennell, PE – Transportation in Montgomery, Alabama, John Raiford, PE, PhD – Engineering in Greenville, South Carolina
Below are a few excerpts from George’s nominations.
• Within our office, George is the person everyone turns to when faced with a difficult technical question. His reputation extends far beyond our own team, as colleagues throughout GMC regularly seek his expertise. It is not uncommon for another office to ask if they can “borrow” George for a project.
• He is the consummate mentor, teacher, and encourager. He never turns away a question, no matter how busy he may be, and he is genuinely invested in helping others succeed. He doesn’t simply provide answers; he explains the reasoning behind them, ensuring those around him grow in confidence and understanding.
• His legacy is reflected not only in the buildings he has helped create but also in the architects he has helped develop. His willingness to share his knowledge has elevated not only individual architects but the quality of our work as an entire firm.
• His commitment to excellence has never been defined by recognition or accolades; rather, it has been demonstrated through decades of consistently doing the right thing, asking the right questions, pursuing better solutions, and helping others achieve their best.
Below are a few excerpts from Jeff’s nominations.
• I’ve known Jeff for nearly 11 years, but had heard of him prior to working with him at GMC. His caliber of work was known within ALDOT, and many praised the quality and accuracy of his work. After coming to GMC and having the opportunity to work with Jeff, it did not take me long to see why he had such a good reputation. His work ethic is exceptional. His attention to all of the details of a project is over the top. After a few years, I was able to determine that Jeff was one of the best engineers I have had the opportunity to work with.
• He has mentored younger engineers to duplicate his thoroughness and attention to all details, no matter how small they may seem. Everyone in the Transportation industry in Alabama and even Georgia that have had the chance to work with Jeff compliments his quality of work.
• Jeff has mentored countless people in Transportation over the years and is always willing to help solve a problem or answer a question when needed. Not only will Jeff help solve the problem, but he will also take the time to explain the theory and principles behind the answer.
• I have also witnessed Jeff spend hours with new hires and interns alike, passing on his knowledge and expertise with patience and understanding, only to stay late or coming in over the weekend to ensure production goals are met.
Below are a few excerpts from John’s nominations.
• As the go-to resource for complex hydraulic questions, John consistently delivers high-quality, efficient solutions and has earned the trust of clients through responsiveness, sound technical judgment, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
• In addition to executive leadership, he remains actively engaged in professional mentorship and technical collaboration, encouraging innovation and lifelong learning among engineers at all career stages. His dual foundation in academic research and practical engineering allows him to approach challenges with both analytical rigor and real-world perspective, driving solutions that contribute to resilient infrastructure and sustainable growth across the region.
• As a Ph.D. in hydraulics, his technical knowledge is exceptional, but what truly distinguishes him is his commitment to sharing that expertise with others. He is truly passionate about what he does and always strives to find the best solutions to serve our clients. He is a team player and someone we can always count on.
• His willingness to teach, encourage questions, and patiently develop those around him has elevated not only individual team members but the technical capability of our entire group. He exemplifies technical excellence through both his expertise and his dedication to fostering it in others. GMC would not be the same without him!
