Franklin-Smith Associates was led by landscape architects, Daniel Berry Franklin, FASLA (1916-2004) and William Tingle Smith, ASLA (1952- ) from approximately 1982 to 1988. Franklin-Smith created landscape designs for the Georgia Governor's Mansion, the Atlanta Country Club, and numerous residential properties in Georgia. Daniel 'Dan' Franklin was born in Atlanta and graduated in 1938 from the University of Georgia with a bachelors degree in economics. He served as a Master Sergeant in the United States Army Office of Strategic Services in World War II. In 1963, Franklin earned a Bachelors of Science degree in landscape architecture from the University of Georgia School of Environment and Design. In 1991, Franklin received the Distinguished Alumni Medal from the same school. He was active in the Georgia Chapter of the American Society Landscape Architects (ASLA) and in 2000 he received their Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2005, Franklin was inducted as a Fellow in ASLA. He was a frequent lecturer and a member of many organizations such as the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation and a charter member of the Southern Garden History Society. Franklin continued to design landscapes for residences, churches, parks, neighborhoods, and commercial clients under his own name until his death in 2004.

William 'Bill' Smith graduated in 1976 with a Bachelors of Science degree in landscape architecture from the University of Georgia School of Environment and Design. He is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects and has been involved with organizations such as the Cherokee Garden Library at the Atlanta History Center, the Southern Garden History Society, and the Garden Club of America. Smith has given lectures to several organizations including the Georgia H. W. Bush Presidential Library, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, and the University of Georgia. After working with Franklin-Smith Associates, he began designing under his own firm, William T. Smith and Associates Inc. Smith creates not only landscape master plans, but also garden furnishings such as benches and planters. His projects have been highlighted in numerous publications such as Southern Living, Southern Accents, Veranda, and Private Gardens of Georgia.