More Than a Contractor. A partner, Not an Outsider.

Native-owned, and built for the work most contractors won’t take on. We are builders, project managers, and problem-solvers. More than that, we are partners. As a Native-owned company, we bring something most contractors can’t: a genuine understanding of Tribal governance, culture, and priorities. Working on Tribal land is a responsibility, not just a contract, and we treat it that way.

Leadership

Meet the Team

The people who lead Sovereignty Construction have sat on your side of the table, in Tribal government, on public works crews, and on the job site.

Steven M. Leash Jr., MBA, MPA

President & Chief Executive Officer

Steven is a Tribal Member and current Vice Chairman of the Cahuilla Band of Indians, and he leads Sovereignty Construction with a background that bridges construction, public service, and Tribal governance. Stepping into elected leadership after four years as Secretary of Council and a four years as the tribe’s Director of Public Works, he has navigated the funding, regulation, and accountability landscape of tribal infrastructure from the inside.

His leadership experience extends from five years working in remote Alaska to overseeing a diversified business portfolio as Special Projects Manager for The Simba Group in Kampala, Uganda. Steven holds both an MBA and an MPA from Drake University, as well as a Certified Scrum Master credential, and brings hands-on command of budget forecasting, RFP strategy, contract negotiation, and field execution to every project.

His leadership is grounded in long-horizon thinking: “We’re not just building structures. We’re building under the gaze of seven generations — the ones who came before and the ones who’ll inherit whatever we leave behind.”

Garrett Pewe

Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

Garrett leads project execution and the operational backbone of Sovereignty Construction, where he has served since the company’s founding in April 2023. Before stepping into his current role full-time, he spent over three years as Project Manager for the Cahuilla Band of Indians, leading civil infrastructure work directly for Tribal government — including construction of a two-acre Public Works facility.

He holds a degree in Construction Management from Park University and pairs that formal training in scheduling, estimating, cost control, and contracts with years of hands-on field experience. Garrett also holds Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), Construction Quality Management for Contractors (CQM-C), and OSHA 30 certifications, reinforcing his expertise in project management, quality control, and jobsite safety.

Known for keeping projects moving and people aligned, Garrett’s disciplined scheduling, proactive risk management, and steady stakeholder communication are part of why partners trust Sovereignty Construction with their most important work.

Kristen Parker

Director of Communications

Kristen is a member of the Navajo Nation and a creative and strategic communications leader with more than a decade of experience driving initiatives that empower underserved and Tribal communities. She leads communications, brand strategy, and stakeholder engagement at Sovereignty Construction and is the Founder and Creative Director of Bullhead Designs, a Native-owned creative agency.

Her background includes tribal communications work for the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians, housing development and interior design focused on culturally relevant home upgrades for tribal communities, and international program management for the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works initiative in Uganda.

Kristen holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Fort Lewis College and is a Certified Scrum Master. Her combination of communications expertise, creative leadership, and experience working with Tribal communities helps ensure that Sovereignty Construction’s voice authentically reflects the values and communities the company was built to serve.

Nate Johnson

Construction Manager

Nate is a descendant of the San Pasqual Tribe and brings roughly seven years of progressive construction project management experience across California, having advanced through roles with respected builders including TELACU Construction Management, Sundt Construction, and BergmanKPRS. His experience spans the full project lifecycle, including pre-construction and estimating, design and constructability review, RFIs, submittals, change orders, and field coordination.

At Sovereignty Construction, Nate manages Tribal and federally funded projects from pre-construction through closeout while helping standardize the company’s project-delivery systems and SOPs. His combination of technical project management experience and process-driven leadership supports consistent execution across increasingly complex projects.

Nate holds a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology from California State University San Marcos and is a Certified Construction Manager (CCM). He also holds OSHA 30-Hour and CPR/AED/First Aid certifications.

Matthew Bergman

Construction Superintendent

Matthew brings more than 17 years of construction industry experience to Sovereignty Construction, with a strong background in large-scale residential construction and field leadership. His track record includes managing teams of up to 300 contractors and overseeing the completion of 180 homes with Alta Verde Builders, including successfully turning around a challenging 60-home custom residential project.

With extensive experience coordinating crews, subcontractors, schedules, and jobsite operations, Matthew provides the hands-on leadership needed to keep complex projects moving efficiently. He is also committed to sustainable building practices and energy-efficient construction techniques that support long-term quality and performance.

At Sovereignty Construction, Matthew leads jobsite execution, ensuring every crew, subcontractor, and detail meets the high standards of safety, quality, and accountability our partners deserve.

Anthony Smith

Construction Superintendent

Anthony is an enrolled member of the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians and brings more than 12 years of hands-on field experience to Sovereignty Construction. He spent five years in underground and heavy-civil construction, operating separation-plant systems for microtunneling under the Operators Union, completing formal Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) training, and serving as an OSHA Tunnel Safety Representative — experience that shapes his safety-first approach as a superintendent.

His background also spans structural steel and solar canopy installation, welding and fabrication, demolition, and heavy-equipment operation, giving him a well-rounded understanding of complex field conditions and construction operations.

At Sovereignty Construction, Anthony leads field operations, managing crews, subcontractors, and daily jobsite coordination to keep projects on schedule, within budget, and to the highest standards of safety and quality.

Grow with us

Work With People Who've Sat Where You Sit

Every Sovereignty Construction project starts with a conversation, and you’ll be talking with people who have managed Tribal infrastructure, run public works departments, and delivered projects from inside Tribal government. Let’s talk about what you’re building.