GMK Adds Four Experienced Professionals Across Multiple Divisions

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COLUMBIA, S.C. –  GMK Associates, Inc., has continued to grow across multiple divisions with the addition of several new professionals to its already robust and client-focused staff. Since late 2022 and into 2023, the firm has added the following highly experienced and talented individuals to enhance GMK’s design and construction resources and capabilities:

• Mr. Christopher R. Clark, RA, AIA, has joined GMK’s architecture division as a senior architect.
• Mr. Land Rhodes has joined GMK’s construction division as a project manager.
• Mr. T. Eric Smith, PE, has joined GMK’s engineering division as a senior mechanical engineer.
• Mr. Benny L. McDaniel, Jr., PE, LEED AP, has joined GMK’s engineering division as the director of electrical engineering.

“Our firm has traditionally focused on steady, market-based growth through strategic hires that fit well into our company culture and that can continue to develop personally and professionally,” said Jeffrey L. Baker, president and board chairman of GMK. “Based on their diverse backgrounds, individual talents, and specific industry experiences, Chris, Land, Eric, and Benny offer exactly the type of professionalism and responsiveness to client needs that GMK always strives to provide through our integrated service offerings. We feel exceptionally fortunate to have each of them as part of our Team.”

Mr. Clark is a highly motivated, creative, and versatile senior architect with many years of experience in all building types, ranging from commercial building projects to governmental, healthcare, multi-family, religious, industrial, resort, civic, and high-end custom residential structures. He has been both designer and project architect for projects ranging from $100,000 to $80,000,000, and his background includes deep experience in a variety of project delivery methods, including Design/Build, traditional Design-Bid-Build, CM at Risk, Cost Plus, Multi-Phase Fast-Track and Public Private Partnerships. Mr. Clark is an active member of the American Institute of Architects and has served as past co-chair of the Public Relations Committee of the Grand Strand Section, member of the Columbia Section of the AIA, past president of the Columbia Section, and member of the International Code Council. Currently, Mr. Clark serves on the Architectural Engineering Technology Advisory Committee at Midlands Technical College in Columbia, SC, and is a member of several industry-related professional organizations. He holds an Associate of Architectural Engineering degree from Midlands Technical College and has been a professionally licensed Architect in South Carolina since 1996.

Mr. Rhodes serves as a project manager within the GMK’s construction services division, providing both construction administration support to GMK’s architectural and engineering divisions, as well as managing a portfolio of projects associated with GMK’s long-standing construction program management contract with the Richmond County School System in Augusta, GA. Mr. Rhodes possesses more than 13 years of industry experience in construction management, project management, and construction cost and quantity estimating. He has also had success operating his own general contracting business, primarily serving the Charleston, SC, area. He is extremely adept in overseeing multifaceted construction and remodeling projects for challenging clients, and is highly skilled in sales, negotiations, management, estimating, and business operations. Mr. Rhodes is a licensed general contractor in the state of South Carolina and holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management (with a minor in Business Administration) from Georgia Southern University.

Mr. Smith joined GMK with 26 years of broad-based experience in mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems. He has served as the lead engineer for complex mechanical system design projects across the higher education, K-12, healthcare, and judicial markets, among others. His expertise spans designs for all facets of Hydronic Chilled Water, VAV, DX, Split, VRF, and Hot Water systems, as well as comprehensive domestic and wastewater plumbing infrastructure, medical gas systems, and wet and dry fire protection/suppression systems. Mr. Smith is a registered professional engineer in South Carolina and a member of the American Association of Heating, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE). He has served as the Columbia Chapter president of ASPE since 2014 and previously served as the Chapter Membership Chair. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of South Carolina.

As GMK’s new director of electrical engineering, Mr. McDaniel provides day-to-day oversight of the electrical engineering technical staff and project assignments, as well as manages multiple educational, institutional, healthcare, and commercial project engineering efforts. He brings more than 33 years of experience as an electrical consulting engineer within the South Carolina market with specific areas of expertise in comprehensive building energy conservation studies as well as the design of complex power distribution systems (medium- and low-voltage), emergency power systems, indoor and outdoor lighting, fire alarm systems, telecommunications and CCTV systems, security/access control systems, audio/sound systems, and other varied electrical systems. Mr. McDaniel has a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of South Carolina and an associate degree in electrical engineering technology from Midlands Technical College. He is a registered professional engineer in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas and is a LEED® Accredited Professional through the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). He further maintains a Council Record from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).

GMK Associates, Inc. (www.gmka.com) is a multi-disciplinary planning, design, and construction services firm focused on the government, education, healthcare, senior living, and commercial industries. Established in 1966, the firm is based in Columbia, SC, with satellite offices in Greenville, SC, and Augusta, GA. GMK employs over 60 professionals and is comprised of five interrelated divisions — architecture, engineering, interior design, design-build, and construction services.