Tanner Backman relocates to GMC’s Greenville office 

Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) architect Tanner Backman, AIA, NCARB, has relocated to the firm’s Greenville, South Carolina office to lead the local architecture team.  

Backman joined the firm in Birmingham, Alabama in 2013. Throughout his decade at GMC, he has become a jack-of-all-trades within the architecture department, working on a wide range of project types varying in size and scale.  

Backman is no stranger to the Palmetto state, having lived in Greenville until he left to attend Auburn University. Since his career began, Greenville has always been in the back of his mind as a place he would potentially return to with his family; however, the time was never right until now.  

With a heart full of nostalgia and a genuine passion for building communities, Backman says he couldn’t be happier to return to the place he grew up. He looks forward to not only contributing to the growth and development of the Greenville office, but the city as a whole.  

“Of course, there’s a passion for wanting to see this place get even better than it already is,” Backman said. “That’s rooted in wanting to see our people do great work, but also just wanting to make a dent in the city. This move brings a lot of exciting opportunities, especially being able to have an impact in a place where I have roots.” 

GMC’s Vice President of Architecture Marc Warren, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, is overjoyed to have Backman in the Greenville office and excited for what he brings not only to the Greenville office, but also to the team statewide.

“Adding someone like Tanner to our team is the next natural progression for South Carolina architecture. He is going to take our team to the next level.” Warren said. “He has the right temperament and skill set – all the things you need to be a great leader. I’m excited for us as a group and for him and his growth and opportunities.” 

Backman has played a key role in several noteworthy projects for the firm, many of which have elevated GMC’s portfolio of work with respect to both design and sustainability. Over the last several years, he has focused on higher education projects ranging from residence halls to state-of-the-art science and education buildings, as well as K-12, commercial and governmental projects.

Backman has already jumped right in on significant projects for the South Carolina team, including assisting the team in winning a major expansion of Clemson University’s Littlejohn Coliseum and Swann Pavilion – home of the Tigers’ men’s and women’s basketball programs. Additionally, he’s working on projects for USC Upstate and the City of Seneca.

“We have a great team of people here with so much potential,” Backman said. “It’s all about building communities, and I see this as an opportunity to continue our mission in our office, the city of Greenville and the Carolinas as a whole.”