Today we’d like to introduce you to Rosemary Swierk.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
After graduating from Indiana University and working for a large corporation, then as an independent manufacturers representative for many years, I met my husband.
In 1991, while pregnant with my first child, I kept driving past a dilapidated building that had been on the market for a couple of years. I purchased that building, rehabbed it and secured a tenant.
I subsequently took advantage of many other commercial rehab opportunities. The projects got larger and large eventually constructing shopping centers. The work was very rewarding. In 2004, I was asked to general contract for other developers and clients. That was the beginning of Direct Steel and Construction.
In 2005, I sold most of my real estate holdings. In 2009 (during the recession) I began marketing Direct Steel and Construction (“Direct”) for the first time. During that time, I pursued Federal Government work and was successful in getting Direct’s foot in the door. In 2012, the private sector construction work began to recover from the economic downturn. Today, Direct has a nice balance between public and private work.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I founded Direct Steel and Construction in 2004. At that point, projects just seemed to fall in Direct’s lap. But by 2009 (with the extreme economic downturn), there was very little commercial-construction work in Illinois. I decided to seek work with the federal government because the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARAA) created funding for federal-government construction projects.
I learned that getting federal-government work is kind of like getting your first job. You can get the work as long as you have the experience, but you can’t get the experience until you get the work. Winning your first prime contract or subcontract is difficult.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Direct Steel and Construction’s team has delivered great experiences for industrial and commercial customers. Customers benefit from cost-effective, aesthetically pleasing, energy efficient, and environmentally sound buildings that facilitate a relationship among people, technology, and space. Direct works in cooperation with architects, engineers, and end users in order to integrate the optimal technology from leading suppliers into well-designed new buildings, additions, repairs, and remodeling with a goal of aligning scope, budget, schedule, quality, and safety. Our valued engineered solutions apply the best mix of pre-engineered steel, structural steel, wood and masonry with sustainable construction and “green” building practices. Our professional staff members embrace and maintain LEED AP and Green Associate and safety certifications and credentials.
Working with architects, engineers, funding sources, attorneys, and integral team members, our qualified project managers oversee preconstruction and construction of commercial buildings. We provide the following services to facilitate the goals of our clients:
General Contracting
Construction Management
Owner’s Representation
Proficient in the various phases of construction, we proudly represent businesses as they seek to build or expand their operations. Our services begin by aligning your design criteria and vision with constructability, budget, and schedule. With a keen focus on the owner’s best interests; we are instrumental in facilitating the coordination of entitlement efforts, due diligence, selection of other team members, contract negotiations, and alignment of the four pillars of any construction project (scope, budget, schedule, and quality).
What were you like growing up?
I’m often asked about my experiences being a woman in a predominantly male industry. I like to share a story of about five years ago. My five siblings and I were celebrating my Mom’s birthday. My two older brothers were seated on either side of me. I turned to them and told them I owed them a lot of “thanks”. They looked at each other as if to say “I’ve never done anything intentionally nice to her…have you?”
I went on to remind them of the many times they allowed me to play football in the backyard with them and their friends. They would both serve as captains of their respective teams and always pick me first or second. One brother quickly responded, “I didn’t pick you first because you were my sister, I picked you because you could catch the ball.” My other brother equally quickly chimed in, “I didn’t pick you because you are a girl, I picked you because you were fast.”
I then smiled and shared “Exactly, that’s why I owe you thanks. I knew there was no pity party for me. You selected me for my ability and qualifications. That is a lesson which has served me very well.”
Contact Info:
- Address: 3321 State Route 31
Crystal Lake, IL 60012 - Website: www.directsteelllc.com
- Phone: 815-444-8844
- Email: solutions@directsteelllc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/direct_steel_llc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DirectSteelandConstruction/
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZeXZSkiiwMAtcfcvLHKUhw?view_as=subscriber%2F%2F
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