PRESS RELEASE: Kris Phillips Joins Johnson, Laschober & Associates, P.C. as the Director of Architecture

Posted by Angie Pelletier on August 22, 2025 with 0 Comment

Augusta, GA. – Johnson, Laschober & Associates, P.C. (JLA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kris Phillips, NCARB, PMP, LEED AP BD+C, as JLA’s new Director of Architecture. In this role, Mr. Phillips will lead the firm’s architectural strategy, design innovation, and execution across all projects.

With over 30 years of experience in the architecture and design industry, Mr. Phillips brings a wealth of expertise in designing for the federal government (DOD), as well as commercial, educational, and industrial facility design. Prior to joining JLA, he served as Principal Architect at Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, and before that, as a Senior Architect, Manager, and Vice President at Arcadis U.S., Inc. Kris also spent time as a student mentor and university instructor.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kris to our leadership team,” said Darren Prickett, President/CEO of JLA. “His vision and experience will be instrumental as we continue to expand our architectural capabilities and deliver valued projects to our clients throughout the Southeast. With his specialized background in defining solutions for the Department of Defense, Kris brings invaluable insight into working with the Federal sector-further strengthening our ability to serve both public and private sector clients. The addition of Phillips marks a continued investment in design excellence and innovation.”

In his new role, Mr. Phillips will oversee all aspects of architectural design from conception through the completion of projects. He will manage multi-discipline projects, collaborate with clients, engineers, planners, and other industry professionals, and mentor the next generation of architects within JLA.

Mr. Phillips is a registered architect and holds a certificate with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), is a Certified Project Manager (PMP) and is a LEED AP BD+C (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional in Building Design and Construction). He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Design/Architecture from Clemson University and Master of Architecture with a concentration in sustainability from Lawrence Technological University.

Entry-Level Civil Engineer

Posted by Angie Pelletier on October 8, 2024 with 0 Comment

Johnson, Laschober & Associates, P.C. is seeking an Entry-Level Civil Engineer to join our Civil Engineering Department. The entry-level position offers opportunities to grow within your profession and within the firm. Applicants should have extensive knowledge and experience with CADD software to provide design support for senior engineers in various stages of capital and site development projects. This position will require the individual to perform data collection, field inspection, surveying, reporting, and preparing designs and calculations. The candidate should be working toward or have already earned a BS in Civil Engineering from an Accredited Program.

Johnson, Laschober & Associates, P.C. (JLA) is a full-service professional consulting firm offering Design, Engineering, and Landscape Architecture with offices in Augusta, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina. We have served the Southeast since 1980. JLA is an Equal Opportunity Employer offering competitive salary and exceptional benefits with the opportunity to advance within the firm.

What are the benefits of working at JLA?

JLA invests in our employees, assisting in continuing education expenses and memberships in civic clubs and professional organizations.
JLA encourages professional registrations. We pay for the classes, books, testing, and fees associated with obtaining professional registrations as well as the fees for maintaining registrations.
We invest in you and then give you the opportunity to participate in ownership.
JLA is a 100% employee-owned firm. Once obtaining registration and having worked within the firm for a period, JLA offers opportunities to participate in our stock program.
JLA believes in a positive work culture. We have quarterly outings for employees and their families to unwind and socialize in a relaxed setting. We encourage open communication within the firm and transparency.
We offer excellent benefits with a competitive salary, Health, Dental, Vision, 401-K investments, and a 401-K match, paid sick leave, and vacation. JLA regularly matches the 401-K dollar for dollar up to 10%.
JLA values our employees and employee retention is significant, with employees averaging 10+ years of service.
JLA is stable, with over 40 years in business. JLA has never laid off employees due to workload. We hire strategically to meet long-term needs and to meet long-term growth goals.

Requirements for Entry-Level Civil Engineer Position:

Professional with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in civil engineering from an accredited university
Currently holding or working towards obtaining EIT
0-4 years of related civil engineering design experience
Proficient with Microsoft Office programs including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Proficient in Autodesk Civil 3D and Auto CAD
Ability to work both independently with minimal supervision and in a team environment
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
Well organized
Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment

Augusta Museum of History gets green light to begin expansion project

Posted by Angie Pelletier on July 1, 2021 with 0 Comment

By Abby Bradshaw

Originally published by FOX 54 News, June 10, 2021

AUGUSTA (WFXG) – Thanks to SPLOST 7 funds, the Augusta Museum of History can now move forward with expansion. The first step begins with design services. Augusta-Richmond County Commissioners just awarded a contract to JLA of Augusta for $65,000 in order to get the project going.

Through this project, the museum will connect with the Strickland Warehouse next door. Renovations will be made to the warehouse and the historic elements of the space will also be preserved. Some of those updates include a new roof, new wood shop and more storage space.

Aiken’s new steeplechase venue taking shape as work remains on schedule

Posted by Angie Pelletier on May 17, 2021 with 0 Comment

By Dede Biles

Originally published in the Aiken Standard, Apr 24, 2021

Work remains on schedule to complete the first phase of the Aiken Steeplechase Association’s new venue by September.

“We’re making great progress,” said the organization’s event manager, Jessica Miller, who gave the Aiken Standard a tour late last week of the approximately 140-acre site, which is bounded by Rudy Mason Parkway, Old Wagener Road and Richland Avenue East.

Clearing and grading has been completed, and the well for irrigation has been built.

North Augusta takes a step forward on new fire station

Posted by Angie Pelletier on October 13, 2020 with 0 Comment

This is the new facility and location of North Augusta’s Fire Station 1.

The move comes more than a year after city leaders gave the green light on a location for a new fire station at 311 W. Martintown Road. The vacant lot at Martintown Road and Observatory Avenue backs up to Clay Street.

The project architectural and engineering firm is Johnson, Laschober and Associates, of Augusta.

Aiken County Planning Commission to consider requests involving subdivisions

Posted by Angie Pelletier on September 16, 2020 with 0 Comment

Dede Biles dbiles@aikenstandard.com

The Aiken County Planning Commission is scheduled to consider several preliminary plat approval requests for residential developments during its meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Aiken County Government Center.

Two of the developments are in the Graniteville area.

One is the Deerfoot Pines subdivision on Pine Street.

Plans call for 123 lots on 85.15 acres

The applicant is Bluesky Properties & Investments LLC. The engineer is Civil Design Solutions LLC.

The other Graniteville area development is the Clairbourne phase II subdivision on Mustang Drive. There will be 114 lots on 39.63 acres.

The applicant is Clairbourne LLC. The engineer is Southern Partners Inc.

Also on the meeting’s agenda is a preliminary plat approval request for Townhomes of Chukker Creek phase II on Chukker Creek Road in Aiken.

There will be 55 lots on 7.41 acres.

The applicant is J & M Properties. The engineer is Johnson, Laschober & Associates.

Jekyll board hears options for golf redesign

Posted by Angie Pelletier on January 29, 2020 with 0 Comment

By Wes Wolfe

Jan 29, 2020

The current state of affairs on Jekyll Island is that while it’s not yet clear what will be done, consultants brought on by the Jekyll Island Authority are confident that something must be done to improve the quality of the island’s golf courses and Jekyll’s overall golf experience.

Troy Vincent of Augusta-based Vincent Design said at the JIA board meeting Tuesday that his company developed a detailed analysis of the island’s golf courses and the components there of, evaluating and giving letter grades as to quality.

“It’s important for everybody to realize — everything on a golf course has a life expectancy,” Vincent said. “There’s a life cycle. And contrary to what many people, in their mind — if it’s green it’s good, if there’s sand in the bunkers they’re good, and if the tees and the greens are cut short it’s good. But, that’s not the case.”

Blue Skies for the TACOCAT

Posted by Angie Pelletier on August 6, 2019 with 0 Comment

Latest concept from Frog Hollow Restaurant Group coming soon

When former Blue Sky Kitchen owner Barry Blackston decided to sell his popular restaurant to fellow downtown restaurateur Sae Shin, owner of downtown’s 1102 Bar & Grill and Soy Noodle House, he was feeling the effects of owning two successful restaurants at once.

Blackston told the Metro Spirit back in June of 2011, “Anyone who’s ever run a restaurant knows that it’s a nonstop…the issues are nonstop. There’s always a plumbing issue or an employee issue and it multiplies when you own more than one business. Somebody’s gotta cook if someone doesn’t show up. If the manager is sick, somebody’s got to be there, and it’s me.”

Blackston and partner Matt Flynn opened Blue Sky around 2000, bringing an upper scale dining experience to downtown that at the time was fresh and new.

Auto supplier gives pre-opening plant tour

Posted by Angie Pelletier on July 10, 2019 with 0 Comment

By Damon Cline

A European auto supplier opening its U.S. headquarters in Augusta gave local officials a pre-opening tour of the plant that will produce acoustic barriers for automakers such as BMW, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz.

Executives with Barcelona, Spain-based Acoustic & Insulation Techniques on Wednesday said the 75,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution center in the Forward Augusta Industrial Park will open in October with more than two-dozen employees.

A second-phase expansion, which would supply General Motors and Fiat Chrysler, could nearly double the workforce at the south Augusta plant near the corner of Tobacco Road and Mike Padgett Highway.

Antonio Pomes, president and CEO of the Spanish company known as AIT, said the company has been supplying U.S. customers for 18 years from its plants in Spain and Poland.

“I have always said we have had an American dream,” Pomes said during the tour. “We are very happy for all the people who have cooperated with us to make it a reality.”

New fellowship hall will serve Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, community

Posted by Angie Pelletier on July 5, 2019 with 0 Comment

By Charmain Z. Brackett / Correspondent

A new fellowship hall is under construction at downtown Augusta’s Lutheran Church of the Resurrection.

“Our space wasn’t adequate for growth and future needs,” said the Rev. David Hunter, the church’s pastor.

Construction began in March after a $1.4 million capital campaign which included $100,000 for the construction of a Habitat For Humanity home for a family with special needs. The house should be dedicated by the first of August, he said.

Reiser Hall was razed to make way for the new space which will have about 1,500 more square feet than the original one. The new Reiser Hall will have about 4,300 square feet including a kitchen and bathrooms. It is scheduled to be completed in the fall.

Author: Angie Pelletier