Staff Report
Published Oct. 5, 2012

Watson Tate Savory promoted Gene Bell and John McLean to be senior associates in the architecture firm’s Columbia office.

Gene Bell

John McLean

Bell has served as project architect on many projects, including libraries, lab and classroom buildings, and a performing arts center, on campuses across South Carolina.

He is a 2001 graduate of Clemson University with a master’s degree in architecture.

Since 2002, Bell’s projects have received seven awards from the American Institute of Architects for design excellence. He has been active with the U.S. Green Building Council and is past president of the Columbia Design League.

An Iowa native, McLean completed a bachelor’s degree in architecture at Iowa State University in 1999.

His portfolio includes the rehabilitation of South Carolina State University’s Lowman Hall. He is also project architect for renovations to the South Carolina State Museum in the historic Columbia Mills building and has completed renovations and rehabilitations of historic structures across the state.

Also, Mitch Newbold and Spencer Hutchinson recently joined the firm.

Newbold received a master’s degree in architecture from Clemson University in 2011 and a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University in 2009. His experience includes design work in the education and health care sectors.

Hutchinson is a 2012 graduate of Clemson University, holding a bachelor’s degree in design.