dms founder profile

As the founding principal of DMS, Michelle Cottrell is motivated by the quest for quality in every phase of the project process. She is passionate about green building and conscience of implementing a sustainable design approach within every project.

She graduated with highest honors from the University of Florida’s College of Architecture where she earned a Bachelor of Design in Interior Design and a minor in Business Administration. She is currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration in Sustainability.

She is a LEED Accredited Professional, a licensed interior designer, and project manager with more than eight years of experience bridging the gap between operating and capital budgets to meet the client's triple bottom line goals for sustainable commercial projects.

Registrations, Affiliations, and Honors

  • USGBC NJ Board of Director, elected for 2009-2011 term
  • ICREW New Jersey Chapter, Star Performer Award, 2008
  • USGBC NJ member since 2006. NJ Speakers Bureau, since 2007;
    NJ LEED for Homes Committee member since 2008
  • Human Subjects Protection Certification, 2008
  • National Leadership Award, 2007
  • Business Advisory Council, Honorary State Chairman, 2007
  • New Jersey ICREW member, since 2006, PR/Marketing Committee 2007
  • Miami CREW member, since 2005, Hospitality Committee 2006
  • LEED™ for Retail and LEED for Commercial Interiors committees member, 2005
  • Florida State Licensed Interior Designer #ID5009, since 2005
  • NCIDQ Certificate #020217 holder since October 2004
  • USGBC member, Since 2004; USGBC Outreach Committee (Miami) member since 2004
  • LEED Accredited Professional, 2003
  • Who’s Who of American Women, Published 2002
  • IIDA member since 2000

Competitions

  • Design Mix, IIDA design competition, January 2005
  • Festival of the Trees, to benefit FIU Interior Design Scholarship, Miami, December 2004
  • PETchitecture, PAWS event to Benefit San Franciscans with AIDS and other disabling illnesses stay together with their beloved pet, February 2004
  • DC CANstruction Team Captain, SDA/AIA annual charity, Peoples Choice Award, 2001
  • GingerBuild Team Captain, SMED event to benefit the DC Children’s Hospital, December 2000

Publications

Press Releases