DAVID CABRERA | FOUNDER + CEO

David is a natural born leader and visionary who has a keen eye for designing and redesigning spaces. He also has over 20 years of experience in construction and remodeling, with and educational background in architecture and business management. Originally from Chile, David’s father was a commercial construction superintendent, and he grew up visiting job sites, reading blueprints and watching large-scale commercial projects such as hotels and business centers take shape from the groundbreaking ceremony to the grand opening celebration. Shepherding a project from concept to completion is in his blood.

Over the years, David has worked in residential remodeling, custom home building, building new home communities, renovating multi-unit properties, updating investment properties, renovating commercial properties, managing government construction contracts, and more. He has specialized in bathroom and kitchen designs and builds, with expertise and certifications in tile, marble and granite installation as well as waterproofing systems.  David has seen it all and done it all! He has designed and executed full home remodels, kitchen and bathroom remodels, multi-unit bathroom remodels, restaurant and jewelry store designs, basement remodels, duplex to single-family-home conversions, and more. David knows what it takes to get a project done and he can ensure a project is executed well.  Additionally, his experience combined with his God-given talent enables him to walk a space and instantly conceptualize creative and functional designs that improve the look, feel and function of a home!

David is married to his wife of 20 years and has two teenage sons who he adores. He is involved in his church and in his free time he enjoys attending his sons’ sporting events, traveling and entertaining friends in his home. He feels blessed to live in the DMV area and to have the opportunity to help families along in their remodeling journey.


DIA GABRIEL | MANAGING PARTNER 

Dia is an experienced business professional who loves managing projects and has a passion for helping others. Dia graduated from the top medical school in Egypt and served briefly as a military doctor. He then supervised the construction of one of the biggest rehab centers in the country, which led him to focus his career on project management and humanitarian relief. He went on to obtain a Master of Business Administration degree from Maastricht University in the Netherlands, giving him the education and skill set for managing complex projects and business operations.

Prior to joining Columbia Design, Dia served for 10 years as the Vice President for a humanitarian NGO based in Washington DC, providing support to underserved groups globally. As a VP, Dia led a team of 70+ staff around the world and managed international operations such as building homes, schools, clinics, and farms for refugees and displaced people in more than 20 countries. His international and diverse experiences give him a depth of understanding and acute ability to ensure a project is well-managed from start to finish. Dia understands business operations, systems and processes that support the effective and efficient operations of a business. He is a trustworthy resource and a savvy business manager who brings great skill and experience to the team.

Dia is married to his wife of 21 years and has three teenage children. He is active in his church and in his free time he enjoys spending time with his family. He is a soccer fan who cheers for Liverpool, and loves connecting with friends on the weekends. He also enjoys playing Pickleball and Squash.


DAN COVEY | DESIGN + BUILD COORDINATOR

Dan is a talented and dedicated construction design and build professional with the eye of a craftsman and the expertise of a skilled contractor. Dan has 20 years of
construction experience, beginning as an apprentice carpenter and working his way up to master carpenter and furniture maker. He has owned several businesses
over the years, from his first as a freelance carpenter and handyman to his most recent design and build company that he co-founded with his wife. He has served as the project manager for three different general contracting companies in the DMV area, handling a range of project sizes from small bathroom remodels to multi-million-dollar new home builds and historical renovations.

Dan has experience with interior design and drafting, rendering designs in Chief Architect Home Designer software. He can take the design process from measure up and concept design through the final plans and project execution. With Dan in your corner, you will be sure to fully understand your project and get excited about what is to come! He is fully committed to quality work, and he is strongly adept at understanding and managing complex projects, knowing exactly what needs to be done along the way to have a beautiful and successful outcome. And….. if you are hungry along the way, you must know that Dan spent 9 years working in restaurants, beginning as a line cook and becoming an executive chef and restaurant manager for a small local restaurant chain, so you never know….he might even whip up something yummy to eat!

Dan is married to his wife of 11 years and has a beautiful two-year-old daughter. In his free time he enjoys playing guitar, and go on family hikes.