It is with a heavy heart that we share news of Joe Pazdan’s passing after a courageous battle with cancer. As one of our firm’s founders and leaders, Joe played a significant role in the economic vitality of the Southeast for the past 30 years.
Joe’s passion for building communities through responsible development, sustainable land use, and inspired design is evident in the numerous projects he led and the clients he nurtured.
An article in the Upstate Business Journal mentioned Pazdan’s involvement with a variety of civic boards and organizations such as the Metro YMCA, United Way, March of Dimes, Greenville Technical College, and Greenville Chamber of Commerce. He also served in management roles for the Urban Land Institute.
The article also included kind words from the mayor, “Joe was the very definition of generational leadership,” said Greenville Mayor Knox White. “He intensely loved his family, friends, and community. The city really was his canvas for changing and shaping so much of the Greenville we know today.”
After starting his architecture career with JE Sirrine Company in Greenville, Joe and college friend Brad Smith branched out on their own in 1993 starting the design firm Pazdan Smith Group, which eventually merged with McMillan Smith & Partners in 2009 to become McMillan Pazdan Smith, our firm that exists today.
“Joe Pazdan’s inspiring presence will be deeply missed,” said Brad Smith, founding principal of McMillan Pazdan Smith. “We have all benefitted from his caring and guiding leadership at our firm. His friendship, mentorship and service to countless others across the communities he loved is a legacy of service we will continue to embody in our culture as a community-based firm.”
We’re better for having known Joe Pazdan and will continue the culture, legacy, and commitment to others that he demonstrated.