That is not what the article says. "Sinister and secretive" refers to the old logo, the one with shadowman.

I like it. Allows the content to shine. But agree, it isn't brutalist.

nice work. elegant, simple and to the point.

There are no design consultancies of that size in NC. There are smaller consultancies like Viget, Smashing Boxes, and Thoughtbot. There are more advertising-like agencies like Baldwin&, McKinney, Capstrat, R+M, and Splinter Group. And there are traditional consultancies like Accenture and Deloitte. This is not a complete list by any means. And extending your geography to Charlotte would change it dramatically.