Les Tillery, AIA
Principal + Huntsville Studio Director
McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture
Tell us about yourself.
My family moved to Huntsville in 2003. It was a very different city back then, and I’ve been fortunate to participate in the incredible growth that we’ve experienced. A Mississippi native, I graduated from Mississippi State School of Architecture in 1997 where I met my wife (also an architect), and we have four children. I currently serve as chair of the Huntsville Planning Commission, and chair of BizPac, the political action arm of the Committee of 100. I’ve had the opportunity to serve on numerous boards and commissions, even though I’m not native to Huntsville. I believe this is a key to Huntsville’s success; we welcome those who are from other places and value their contributions that make our community a better place.
Tell us about your team at McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture and the work you do.
Last summer our firm, Fuqua & Partners Architects (FPA), merged with McMillan Pazdan Smith Architects (MPS); however, we are the same team and leadership, working on the same projects for our clients, only now with a deep bench of subject matter experts and the resources of a 500+ person firm. MPS is a regional, Southeast-based architecture, advisory, planning, and interior design firm. Our purpose is to create meaningful and lasting impact for the good of all.
What are some of the projects that our readers would recognize?
I’ve had the privilege of working on many wonderful projects in Huntsville, some of which include the Huntsville Transit Station, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering, and the Monroe Street Parking Garage across from the VBC (Mayor Battle affectionally refers to this project as having dinosaur bones). Our firm is fortunate to have played a large role in development of Cummings Research Park over the years, having worked on projects for companies including BAE, Raytheon, Leidos, and Blue Origin. Currently under construction, we have Montview Elementary and Magnet School, Chapman Middle and Magnet School, and a new Science building for Alabama A&M University.
Tell us something about yourself that others might not know!
I had the incredible opportunity to restore the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Sheffield, Alabama. Muscle Shoals Sound was home to the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, aka “The Swampers.” With funding from Beats by Dre and Apple, we worked with the Muscle Shoals Music Foundation board to restore the building to a fully functional recording studio and event venue that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
What does MPS gain from its involvement in HREGI?
Being a HREGI investor aligns with our core values which are: elevate and inspire, foster trust, serve with integrity, stay curious, and we not I. We want to bring exceptional service to our community, and investing in economic development efforts as we compete on a national stage helps to create the vibrant city and region that we want Huntsville to be.
This article appears in the June 2026 issue of Initiatives magazine, a publication of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber.
