LATHAN ARCHITECTS MAKES INVESTMENT IN MCKEE AND ASSOCIATES AND BDW ARCHITECTS, FORMS LATHAN MCKEE ARCHITECTS AND THE L&M GROUP OF COMPANIES

Boca Raton, Florida, April 22, 2025 – Hidden Harbor Capital Partners (“Hidden Harbor”), an operationally focused private equity firm specializing in control investments in lower middle market companies, is pleased to announce investments by Lathan Associates Architects P.C. (“Lathan”) in McKee & Associates Architects, LLC (“McKee”) and Barganier Davis Williams Architects Associated, LLC (“BDW”). McKee and BDW, established in 1991 and 1974, respectively and headquartered in Montgomery, AL, specialize in providing architectural and design services to K-12 education, higher education, and municipal clients. Following the transaction, Lathan and McKee combined as Lathan McKee Architects, creating a market-leading K-12 education architecture and design services firm in the Southeastern United States. BDW joins Lathan McKee as a member of the L&M group of companies (“L&M Group”). The respective leadership teams of McKee and BDW, including Walter McKee, Seawell McKee, Johnny Raines, Ray Williams, and Dart Davis, remain invested and active in the group.

“For over thirty years, McKee and BDW have served the local community in Montgomery, AL as well as districts and institutions across Alabama and the broader Southeast. Both firms have developed a deep understanding of their clients’ needs through intense focus and experience.” said Lee Bryan, Partner at Hidden Harbor. “We look forward to supporting McKee and BDW in partnering with these clients for years to come.”

Rick Lathan, Founder of Lathan Architects, said, “Our combination with McKee represents a significant milestone for both firms and for our clients. Our complementary strengths and relationships will further elevate the quality of our services and create exciting opportunities for innovation.”

Johnny Raines, Partner at BDW Architects, said, “Joining the L&M Group is an exciting step for the entire team at BDW. The group’s core values and commitment to excellence aligns with the foundation we built at BDW. We look forward to new opportunities for collaboration across our client base and across the member firms.”

Lathan’s investments in McKee and BDW closed April 9, 2025. Financing for the transaction was provided by funds managed by First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC. Hidden Harbor was advised by Akerman LLP as legal advisor and Configure Partners, LLC as financing advisor. McKee was advised by Ironline Advisors as financial advisor and Balch & Bingham LLP as legal advisor. BDW was advised by Stonemill Partners, Inc. as financial advisor and Butler Snow LLP as legal advisor. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

 

About McKee & Associates Architects, LLC

McKee, established in 1991 and headquartered in Montgomery, AL, provides a full range of professional architectural and design services. McKee works with a wide range of customers across the public and private sectors. The McKee team has been dedicated to incorporating a quality design with functional value across various projects. To learn more, visit https://www.mckeeassoc.com/.

 

About Barganier Davis Williams Architects Associated, LLC

BDW, established in 1974 and headquartered in Montgomery, AL, provides a full range of professional architectural and design services. BDW works with a wide range of customers in the public and private sector. BDW has earned a reputation for quality architectural design, state-of-the-art facilities, exceptional professional service, and technical expertise. To learn more, visit www.bdwarchitects.com/.

 

About Lathan Associates Architects P.C.

Lathan, established in 1990 and headquartered in Hoover, AL, is a full‐service design firm offering a suite of services. Lathan has worked in partnership with a wide variety of clients. Its goal is to answer each client’s needs and desires by developing architectural solutions that successfully blend classic concepts with modern aesthetics, practical functionality, and environmental sensitivity. To learn more, visit https://www.lathanassociates.com/.

 

About Hidden Harbor Capital Partners

Hidden Harbor Capital Partners is a private equity firm which helps create business success stories by building teams focused on execution.  We believe that great companies are built on a strong group of people as their foundation, and that businesses succeed when they are intensely focused on executing a small set of well-defined objectives.  Hidden Harbor currently manages over $2.0 billion of equity capital and is investing out of its third fund, a $825 million vehicle.  To learn more, visit www.hh-cp.com and our page on LinkedIn. For business development opportunities, please contact CoreBD@hh-cp.com.

 

Media Contact

Julia Bennett: (904) 534-4468 / jbennett@hh-cp.com