GHC|orcutt winslow Acquires Straughn Trout Architects to Expand Operations
On April 9, 2025, architecture and engineering firm GHC|orcutt winslow (GHC) announced a strategic acquisition of Straughn Trout Architects (STA), a celebrated design firm in the education, commercial, and municipal sectors. This acquisition marks a significant milestone as GHC continues to expand its footprint in the highly competitive and rapidly growing Central Florida market.
Founded in 1956, Straughn Trout Architects has carved out a prominent reputation in Lakeland, Florida, known for its collaborative design expertise across a variety of project scales, particularly in K-12 and higher education. Their extensive range of services includes architectural development, interior design, site planning, and engineering coordination, all aimed at fostering seamless project delivery and client satisfaction. However, no financial details regarding the acquisition have been disclosed.
This acquisition is GHC's seventh since partnering with Bernhard Capital Partners in September 2022, illustrating a continued dedication to growing its business and enhancing service capabilities. Jerry Hebert, GHC's CEO, expressed enthusiasm about integrating STA into their family of services, stating that the firm’s innovative and customer-centric philosophy makes it a perfect fit. GHC's strategic moves have been centered on serving one of the country’s busiest metropolitan regions, and this acquisition strengthens that aim.
Tim Hoeft, Managing Principal at STA, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the potential for STA to extend their impact within the community while maintaining their standard of design excellence. The merger promises not just a continuation of STA's legacy but a robust collaboration, supported by GHC's broader reach and resources.
This move is expected to broaden GHC's comprehensive national platform by adding STA’s capabilities, further supporting the burgeoning needs of a community that has experienced over 20% population growth within the last decade. Patrick Bernhard, Managing Director at Bernhard Capital, noted that Lakeland is a thriving community where families desire to live, work, and raise their children. The acquisition positions GHC to meet the region's increasing demand for innovative architectural and engineering services.
Currently, GHC|orcutt winslow serves a diverse clientele including healthcare providers, educational institutions, and government agencies with a workforce of over 400 professionals stationed across 17 offices in several states. The firm has recently placed 46th in BD+C's Architecture and Engineering Firms List.
Straughn Trout Architects stands out as a multi-disciplined firm with various notable projects spanning educational campuses, libraries, art museums, and civic facilities, with accolades from the American Institute of Architects and the U.S. Green Building Council. This merger not only symbolizes growth but also aligns with a shared vision of innovation and community focus, setting the stage for exciting developments in the architectural landscape of Central Florida.
The future looks hopeful for both firms as they aim to enhance their service offerings while nurturing a legacy of excellence rooted in client satisfaction and community impact. As GHC and STA embark on this new journey together, they are likely to create even more significant contributions to the architectural field and the communities they serve throughout Florida and beyond.