About Us

Leadership

President, CEO
Shirley M. James

Shirley M. James is President of Southwestern Dakotah Inc. She founded the company in October 1992 to engage in General Commercial Contracting in the Southwestern United States. She has been instrumental in developing the company into one of the leading firms of its kind in the Southwest and has won numerous nationally recognized Contractor Awards. Shirley James, an Oglala Sioux Indian from the Pine Ridge Reservation of South Dakota, successfully complete the SBA 8(a) program in 2004. Due to the opportunities she received through the program, she believes in reciprocating the advantages received to other small business concerns. Southwestern Dakotah Inc. actively solicits bids from small and disadvantaged business in the performance of our contracts. Shirley James has also mentored small businesses on how to complete necessary paperwork to qualify for SBA's 8(a) program. She is actively involved in the community. Her involvement includes Casa de los Nino's program, American Diabetes Association, and numerous youth sporting sponsorships.

Vice President, CFO
Curtis B. James

Curtis James has been involved in the construction industry since 1960. His knowledge and talent in this field ensures that all projects run smoothly and are held to the highest level of craftsmanship. His duties include estimate review, project management overview, project cost control, negotiation of contracts, review of human resource selection and other such duties as they relate to contract and project management.

• Attended and Certified in the Claims Avoidance Training Workshop Course, The National Guard Bureau.
• Certificate of Completion in Construction Quality Management for Contractors from the US Army Corps of Engineering.
• Certificate of Completion of Means Cost Works Trai8ning Seminar, RS Means Certification of Training.
• Member of ASHE (American Society of Health Care Engineers)

Vice President of Operations
Allen W. Olson

Allen Olson has been in the construction field since the 1970's. He has been involved in all phases of construction from laborer to Vice President. He has an ownership interest in the company. At present his responsibilities include all aspects of operations starting with the bidding process to completion of each project. Allen Olson's goals are to maintain Southwestern Dakotah Inc. philosophy of completing each project successfully and on schedule, meet a fixed budget, deliver quality, safety and build repeat business through both quality control and customer satisfaction. In order to facilitate these goals, he interfaces with the Owners, Subcontractors, Project Managers, Quality Control personnel and Office staff.

• Certificate of Completion in Construction Quality Management for Contractors, U S Army Corps of Engineering
• Certificate of Qualification for Polyethylene Heat Fusion, Quail Piping
• Certificate of Recognition for Attendance to Polyethylene Fusion Course, Crow Company
• Certificate of Attendance for managing multiple projects, objectives and deadlines
• Certificate of Attendance for Excavation Safety Dat, Tucson Utility Contractors Association
• Member of ASHE (American Society of Health Care Engineers)

Senior Project Manager
Joe O. Baker

Joe Baker has extensive knowledge in the construction field. His responsibilities include overseeing the current projects from start to finish. He reviews contract documents, submittals and other data to ensure compliance; directing field activities of the Quality Control personnel; timely placement of approved material orders and coordination of equipment requirements on all activities of the projects assigned to his control. He communicates with the Owners, Subcontractors and Quality Control Personnel to ensure timely project completion.

• ASHE Healthcare Construction Certificate Program
• OSHA - 30 Hour Training
• Navy "U.S.A.C.E. Construction Quality Management for Contractors"
• EPA Model Course - Minimizing Lead Based Paint Hazards during Renovation, Remodeling and Painting
• OSHA - 10 Hour Training
• The Asbestos Institute, 2 Hour Awareness and 14 Hour Maintenance
• Respirator Training Certification, 7700 Series
• Navy "Polyethylene Heat Fusion, Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations #192-285

Office Manager
Jessyca M. George

Jessyca George came to Southwestern Dakotah Inc. with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management Degree from the University of Phoenix. She has been with SDI since 2002. Jessyca has been able to study all facets of the various office positions. Her experience in different realms of the business will ensure that current and future Project Administrators and Administrative Assistants aid in the timeliness and accuracy of the project completion process. Among her varied duties, she prepares the bid packages for MACC, IDIQ, MATOC and other similar bid requests. She oversees the quality and timeliness of her office staff paperwork submissions to the Owners and Subcontractors. She prepared the training manual of office and field procedures and is involved in the training of Field and Office personnel.

Controller
Anne Webster

Anne Webster has been with Southwestern Dakotah Inc. since the early 2000's. Her background in accounting is widely varied working in various sectors from service to manufacturing and with governmental entities. She brought with her extensive experience and talent relating to controls, procedures and training. She Inputs all data into the accounting program and prepares the Financial Statements. She maintains the equipment control logs on all equipment. She interfaces with the Owners, Subcontractors and office personnel as it relates to accounting and certified payroll. She assists the subcontractors with their paperwork related to billing and certified payroll. She negotiates in purchasing or leasing major office equipment and is involved in the renewal process for all insurances policies.

Company History

Southwestern Dakotah Inc. was founded in October 1992 to engage in General Commercial Contracting in the Southwestern United States. The company is certified by the Small Business Administration as Small Disadvantage Business (Native-American Owned), Hub-Zone and Woman-Owned. Since our inception in 1992, Southwestern Dakotah Inc. has successfully managed multiple disciplined projects at various locations throughout the states of Arizona, Nevada, California, New Mexico, Texas and Colorado at governmental entities.

Southwestern Dakotah Inc.'s past performance shows the capability of our in-depth qualified and experienced personnel to execute multiple projects on time and within budget. The company provides the expertise in the area of construction management, quality performance and safety. The staff and construction crews are all highly trained and motivated. The company believes in professional integrity, job safety and continuous self-improvement through formal training, continuing education and job experience.

Our past performance shows the capability of our in-depth qualified and experienced personnel to execute multiple projects. We understand that teamwork plays a major role in the success and completion of a project. These projects clearly represent the many types of constructions SDI has performed and managed since inception. We provide services in:

• New Construction
• Additions
• Retrofits
• Renovations / Alterations
• Underground Utilities
• Design Build

The company has all of the necessary licenses and certifications to operate effectively in the Southwestern United States.

Business Information & Licenses

Year Established: 1992
Type of Business: Construction/Contractor
Ownership: Corporation (State of Arizona)
Duns: #80-203-5477
CCR: #305725
AZ State Sales Tax: #10-152134D
NM CRS: #03-152984-00-4

NAICS Codes

• 238 – Specialty Trade Contractors/238320 – Painting and Wall Covering Contractors
• 238 – Specialty Trade Contractors/238290 – Other Building Equipment Contractors
• 238 – Specialty Trade Contractors/238220 – Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning Contractors
• 238 – Specialty Trade Contractors/238160 – Roofing Contractors
• 237 – Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction/237990 – Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
• 237 – Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction/237120 – Oil and Gas Pipeline, Related Structures Construction
• 237 – Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction/237110 – Water and Sewer Related Structures Construction
• 236 – Construction of Buildings/236210 – Industrial Building Construction
• 236 – Construction of Buildings/236116 – New Multi Family Housing Construction (except Operative Builders)
• 236 – Construction of Buildings/236115 – New Single Family Housing Construction (except Operative Builders)

Licenses

General Commercial Contractor (Arizona): B-01 096647
Boiler/Steamfitter (Arizona): L-04-096644
Plumbing (Arizona): L-37 096646
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Solar (Arizona): L-79-096645

Awards

USSBA Administrators Award for Excellence 2003

Southern Arizona Minority Enterprise Development Construction Firm of the Year 2002

National Association of Minority Contractors Southern Arizona Chapter Outstanding Minority Leader 1997

Community Service

American Diabetes Association: Corporate Sponsor
4-H / FFA (Future Farmers of America)
Casa de los Niño's: Sponsor
Various Local Youth Sport Sponsorships