Our Story
In 1997, M3 Office opened with a simple idea — Customers should be at the center of our world and drive all of our decisions.
A New Chapter in Leadership
Since its founding, M3 Office has been defined by deep relationships, thoughtful service, and a commitment to design that works as well as it looks. Over decades of building a reputation for excellence across Southern California and beyond, the firm established a legacy rooted in client trust, industry partnership, and hands-on execution.
In 2019, Shellee Ortega, Alisa Lansdale, and Kevin McCarthy joined the leadership team as Directors, marking an important evolution in the company’s future. Each brought deep experience and long-standing ties to both M3 and the broader contract furniture industry.
In 2025, following the retirement of M3’s founders, Shellee, Alisa, and Kevin stepped into ownership of the firm—carrying forward the values and expertise that have long defined M3 Office. Their transition to ownership reflects continuity built on years of hands-on leadership, shared accountability, and a deep commitment to the people, clients, and partnerships that shape the company.
Alisa has been part of the contract furniture industry since 1997 and joined M3’s sales team in 2001. With a degree in Interior Design, she brings a design-driven perspective to business development, helping clients realize comprehensive workplace solutions. Her passion lies in guiding teams into spaces they are proud of—spaces that truly support how people work.
Shellee began her career in furniture in 2000, bringing a strong background in operations management, furniture distribution, and manufacturing. Since joining M3 in 2017, her hands-on leadership has helped streamline processes, strengthen internal systems, and ensure consistency across every project. Her passion for customer service and operational excellence continues to shape how M3 delivers on its commitments.
As one of M3’s original employees when the firm opened its doors in 1997, Kevin has worn many hats throughout his tenure. His deep knowledge of the business and hands-on approach to client engagement ensure that every installation is executed with care. To this day, he won’t leave a job site without every drawer aligned and every detail complete—an attention to quality that defines the M3 standard.
At M3 Office, we believe you should love what you do—and love where you do it. This philosophy guides how we support our team, collaborate with partners, and approach every project with purpose.
Our Founding Partners
M3 Office was founded in 1997 by Patti Murphy and Terry McCarthy, who had worked together in the furniture industry since 1978. Before opening M3, both served as senior executives with a major furniture manufacturer, gaining experience across all levels of the business and with a wide range of clients. That shared background shaped their vision for a firm that combined the discipline of a large organization with a highly personalized approach to service.
Patti’s strength was in understanding how people work and translating that insight into thoughtful product solutions that supported workplaces clients enjoyed coming to. Terry focused on developing people, building long-term relationships, and growing a financially strong, values-driven business. Together, they established a culture rooted in trust, accountability, and partnership.
Following their retirement in 2025, Patti and Terry leave behind a legacy that continues to influence how M3 Office approaches design, service, and collaboration today.
Read the full retirement announcement →
Women Owned
M3 Office is certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the nation’s largest third-party certifier of women-owned businesses. We support organizations committed to supplier diversity by providing full space planning, layout, and project execution for corporate, hospitality, and wellness environments in California and across the U.S.
We also proudly carry Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certifications.