J. Denise Cook - A.I.A, NCARB

I am enthusiastic about providing sustainable & culturally sensitive design solutions for municipal, federal, commercial, and private clients, which meet high quality standards and comply with rigorous building, fire, and health code requirements.  My positive attitude, cooperative work ethic, large-scale project experience, and straightforward people skills can benefit your firm because I adapt quickly, collaborate effectively, and bring technical solutions together with the corporate vision for appropriate, reliable, and cost-effective facilities. I am also skilled in finding work and developing the client relationship.

I present a professional image and collaborate with the other departments, project teams, and contractors in solving unique challenges. I strive to draw together the diverse needs of various departments in defining work scopes that work for everyone involved while meeting tight budgets and schedules.

My experience helps me sense whether architects, engineers, contractors, and vendors are on track with production milestones throughout the project. I understand both practical and technical issues that are fundamental to design and construction processes, and make sure design solutions actually work, and that building systems are integrated and technically sound.

I have experience designing for recreation, meeting facilities, restaurants, and corporate office environments, along with facilities and maintenance design requirements inherent in projects of all sizes (see Relevant Projects). I have the ability to deal with multiple demanding issues, while making sure every aspect of the project is on track, and within budget. I constantly check in with team members and schedule regular project review meetings where users, facilities departments, and consultants exchange information and make sure designs meet project requirements. I know how to work with planning & building departments and utility providers. Project management capabilities include:

•   Business Development skills: 15+ years seeking and winning projects for municipal, federal, and private commercial clients. Presentation preparation, rehearsing, and delivery skills. Strong contact base in Southern Nevada.

•   Contract understanding, preparation & negotiations; prepared A/E design contracts, owner contract negotiations, process strategies, contract management to meet capital project & equipment budgets while overseeing detailed project costs, scheduling methods, cost estimating and reporting procedures.

•   Understand entitlement & permitting processes, codes and regulations: Led design processes for over 1 million square feet of diverse project types, with demonstrated experience in both new and renovation construction while providing site evaluation, planning and building department coordination, coordinating with utility service providers, meeting Accessibility & code regulations, leading fast-track projects through permitting and construction.

•   15+ years leading and executing a variety of projects from site development/design through construction involving scoping-budgeting, programming, concept design, construction documents, agency submittals, bidding, contract procurement, expediting project documentation & compliance, and generating project reports.

•   Understand capital costs, A/E budgets, QA/QC plan reviews & IBC, ADA, & local code compliance; intra-disciplinary coordination review: Able to evaluate building systems & construction materials, methods, & processes for integration, consistency, and “build-ability.”

•   Leadership/Management Competence: experience with both large & small scale projects, integration within existing built environment, project oversight experience, innovative problem-solving skills and appropriate people skills.

Led business development effort for corporate and Native American gaming prospects nationwide, responsible for research, generating leads, identifying and contacting potential customers, developing community relationships and alliances for future work.

Principal, Business Development, Owner Representation. Responsible for business operations. project management & leadership, marketing, fee proposal & negotiations, design & documentation, code compliance, LEED design and documentation, QA/QC reviews, and responding to RFP’s.

Shareholder, senior project manager, business development capabilities: Responsible for project leadership, scope development, site evaluation, contracts & fee negotiations, needs assessments, project team management, design & documentation, bidding, and construction contract administration services. 

Activities included development of client relationship, meeting agency and code requirements, project communications & correspondence, architectural design and contract documents, budgets, schedules, maintenance issues, submittals, and professional development of self and staff. Prepared and given related presentations for public feedback involving concepts & site development plans, & feasibility studies. Conducted ADA and code compliance audits, and post-construction services.  Participated in firm leadership, planning, staffing & business development, budgeting, and acted in corporate officer capacity.

University of Utah, Master of Architecture          University of Utah, B.S. Interior Design (2 years Engineering Education)

Magna Cum Laude & Honors Program

•   Utah Architectural License                     • Nevada Architectural License                            • NCARB Certification

•          Grant Sawyer State Office Building (23 million, 220,000 sf - new construction, Las Vegas

•          Water Quality Laboratory, Offices, Conference Facility (15+ million, 50,000 sf - new construction & design consultant   

    for 100+ million, River Mountain Water Treatment Facility) SNWA, Henderson, Nevada

•          Kahunaville Restaurant at Treasure Island Hotel/Casino, Las Vegas, NV

•          Henderson Wastewater treatment Laboratory and Office Facility, Henderson, Nevada

•          Computer Lab design & renovations included as part of River Mountain Facility, EG&G Facilities, Office/Lab

    developments, Grant Sawyer State Office Building, and Nellis renovation projects.

•          Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion, Clark County Water Reclamation (MWH), Las Vegas, Nevada

•          Enterprise Water Reclamation Facility, Meeting Facilities and Park, Clark County Water Reclamation (CH2MHill), Las Vegas, Nevada

•          Western High School Modernization (5.5 million, classrooms, theater, labs, gym/lockers) for CSN, Las Vegas

•          Campus Masterplan & Phased Development: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School & Parish Center (K-8 grades, 9.2

    million-new construction) Church School, Las Vegas, NV

•          Mountain View Assembly of God Campus Masterplan and Kitchen Addition (K-12 grades, un-built) Church School,

    Las Vegas, NV

•          SkyView Multigenerational Center & 40 Acre Park Masterplan, (22 mil, 50,000 sf-new construction) North Las Vegas

• High Intensity Discharge Facility, Office/Lab Facility, & Fleet Maintenance Facility, EG&G Energy Measurements, North Las Vegas, Nevada

•          Air Base Wing Office & Deployment Facility, Nellis AFB, NV

•          Pointe Flamingo Corporate Office Complex, Masterplan, Phase I & II Development,  Las Vegas, NV

•          Office Facility and renovation of existing offices,  EG&G Energy Measurements, Las Vegas, NV

•          Office/Warehouse development and Tenant Improvements for Hughes Airport Center (Various Clients)

    Las Vegas, NV

•          Business Park Office Complex & Housing Facilities, Salt Lake City, UT

•          Reno Development Service Center Office addition, Reno, NV

•          Regional Information Center, Panacca, NV

•          25 Facility Accessibility Compliance Surveys & 4 Renovation Projects (20+ mil, postal administrative & process areas), United States Postal Service; Reno, Las Vegas, 25 towns throughout Nevada

•          2025 Planning Study, Dining Hall & Re-Roofing and Renovation Projects, Hazardous Material Assessments (7+ mil, IDIQ process) Nellis & Creech Air Force Base

•          Numerous libraries, recreation facilities, offices, laboratories, infrastructure & renovation projects for various clients

·       American Institute of Architects - Nevada Chapter; Southern Nevada International Code Council Chapter; US Green Building Council – Government Affairs Committee member, Sub-Committee Member – Nevada Sustainable Energy Coalition, Nevada Department of Energy – Energy Efficiency Strike force member, Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Nevada, Urban Land Institute, Society for Marketing Professionals, SAME–Nellis Chapter, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Leadership Las Vegas Graduate - Class of 1999,

·       Las Vegas Chamber Finalist - Woman of Achievement,

·       Personal Improvement: Graduate – Pacesetters Leadership Development, Women’s Leadership, PSI-7, PSI-Basic