The

retirement of our Chairman Emeritus Thom Penney, FAIA, was an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable career of our former Chairman | President | CEO.

Thom first worked at the firm as a high school student, before attending Clemson University and graduating with Honors with both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Architecture. He joined the firm full-time in 1974, served as CEO from 1989 to 2020, served as President from 1989-2019, and served as Board Chair from 2012 until September 2022 when he was named Chair Emeritus.

Under his leadership, LS3P grew substantially, from one office in Charleston into a nationally recognized architecture firm with eleven offices, over 400 employees, and over 650 design awards. His professional achievements include serving as the 79th National President of the American Institute of Architects in 2003, receiving the AIA South Carolina Medal of Distinction in 2007, and being inducted into the Clemson University College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities Hall of Fame in 2019.

Thom is the quintessential ‘citizen architect,’ and I am proud to consider him a true mentor and steadfast friend. His service to our firm and the profession has created far-reaching impacts for our firm, our communities, and the profession of architecture. His vision and leadership have made LS3P the firm we are today, and we are honored to call him our Chairman Emeritus.

marc marchant CEO