Awards & Recognitions
Direct Steel and Construction is honored to have received numerous recognitions for our mission to offer individualized commercial construction. Listed below are some major acknowledgments from the past several years.
Awards & Recognitions
- Direct Steel and Construction recipient of the 2024 Excellence Award (Cornerstone) – March 2025
- Direct Steel and Construction recipient of the 2023 Excellence Award (Cornerstone) – March 2024
- Direct Steel and Construction featured in WBDC Spotlight Series Read More
- Direct Steel and Construction celebrates 20-year milestone July 2024 Read More
- Cornerstone Building Brands presented the National Top “M” Award to Direct Steel and Construction in June 2023 as the Top Performer in the Nation
- Direct Steel and Construction was honored to be included in the 2022 Million Dollar Club by Metallic Building Systems
- Featured speaker – Leading with Courage (November 2022)
- Featured panelist – Builders Expo (October 2022)
- Featured speaker – Commercial Bankers Forum (August 2022)
- Featured speaker – Commercial Bankers Forum (June 2022)
- Direct Steel and Construction featured speaker in Goldman Sach’s podcast (October 2021) Read More
- Direct Steel and Construction Awarded USDA project in Peoria, IL (September 2021).
- Direct Steel’s Federal Government work recognized by CBS News. Read More
- Crain’s Business Chicago names Rosemary Swierk as one of 2021’s Notable Women in Construction and Design. Read More
- Morrie Bender Award – In honor of the person who mentored DEAN KLASSMAN, ChFC, CLU, we honor the contributions of a member for making a big difference for another member. Read More
- Direct Steel and Construction recognized during Iron Mountain VA Medical Center $12M addition opening (October 2020) – (IRON MOUNTAIN, MI) The Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain dedicated the newest addition to its facility October 28 with a ribbon cutting ceremony on their main campus. The $12.1M project adds 12,300 square feet to the facility, renovates nearly 4,000 square feet of the existing Community Living Center, and provides 11 more single-occupancy rooms for residents. The build also provides a more homelike environment with more space for dining and recreation, as well as a barber shop and living room area. “(The addition) will give eleven Veteran residents a new, single room in which to live while receiving care,” said Rebecca Strini, associate medical center director. “There are also four spacious and accommodating hospice rooms with walk-out garden views.” The architect and engineer of record is Berners-Schober Associates of Green Bay, Wisc., and the general contractor for the build is Direct Steel, LLC of Crystal Lake, Illinois.
- Direct Steel and Construction interviewed and recognized in Tasty Trade (February 2020) Read More
- Direct Steel and Construction President recognized by the Genesee Business Center – March 2020
- Direct Steel & Construction President, Rosemary Swierk, was recognized with Women of Influence Award (November 2019)
- WSE awarded the Women Stem Entrepreneurs Award to Rosemary Swierk of Direct Steel and Construction (June 2019) – Award Link
- Direct Steel & Construction recognized as State of Illinois Rising Star Award recipient (March 2019)
- Direct Steel & Construction Attends Ribbon Cutting at Olmstead Lock & Dam Project (August 2018) Read More
- Direct Steel & Construction highlights Crain’s Chicago article “Will Chicago’s Building Boom boost Women in Construction?” (August 2018) Read More
- Direct Steel & Construction invites you to meet the President, Rosemary Swierk (Oct 2017) Read More
- Direct Steel & Construction recognized during Chicago Sky’s Inspiring Women Night (August 2017)
- Direct Steel & Construction Featured in Women Impacting Public Policy
- Direct Steel & Construction Featured in NAWRB Magazine (June 2017) – Read More
- Direct Steel & Construction Featured in EW Magazine (June 2017)
- Direct Steel & Construction is recipient of the Leadership Award presented by Chicago Sky (June 2017)
- Direct Steel & Construction Featured in Chicago Women Magazine (May 2017)
- Direct Steel & Construction Featured in the Daily Herald Business Ledger (March 2017)
- Direct Steel & Construction President, Rosemary Swierk, was recognized with Women of Influence Award (March 2017) – Read More
- Direct Steel & Construction Awarded USACE Contract for Olmsted Lock and Dam Lockmaster Facility, Maintenance Building, and extensive site work (February 2017)
- Direct Steel & Construction Published in Enterprising Women Magazine (Winter 2017) – Read More
- Direct Steel & Construction is the recipient of the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) award (November 2016)
- Direct Steel & Construction Featured in Value Drivers BLOG (October 2016)
- Direct Steel & Construction Published in Enterprising Women Magazine (Summer 2016)
- Direct Steel & Construction Project Highlighted in Metal Construction News (August 2016)
- Direct Steel & Construction Project Highlighted in Chicago Tribune (May 2016)
- Direct Steel & Construction is awarded the Varco Pruden Building’s 2016 Hall of Fame Winner (March 2016)
- Direct Steel & Construction earned the 2016 Enterprising Women of the Year Award (prestigious awards program recognizing the world’s top women entrepreneurs, Entertaining Women Magazine, January 2016)
- Direct Steel & Construction Featured Contractor in the McHenry County Business Journal Book of Lists (January 2015)
- Direct Steel & Construction President featured in “Lessons Learned” BLOG on Today’s Chicago Woman’s website (September 2014)
- Direct Steel & Construction President, Rosemary Swierk, awarded Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) 2014 Entrepreneur of the Year (September 2014)
- Direct Steel & Construction recognized for the 10th anniversary as an authorized Varco Pruden Buildings Builder (June 2014)
- Direct Steel & Construction wins the Varco Pruden Buildings 2014 Hall of Fame award (March 2014)
- Direct Steel & Construction celebrates 10 year anniversary (January 2014)
- Direct Steel & Construction Recognized by the Chicago Sun Times (September 2013)
- Direct Steel & Construction is the recipient of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) – Dorothy B. Brothers Scholarship to attend the 2013 Tuck WBENC Executive Program sponsored by IBM (August 2013)
- Varco Prudent presents Direct Steel & Construction with Builder Sales Volume Award (May 2013)
- Direct Steel and Construction recognized by Small Business Administration’ Regional Director (SBA) for accomplishments (March 2013)
- Direct Steel LLC recognized in the Business Journal’s PowerBook 2013 Book of Lists (January 2013)
- Direct Steel & Construction selected as one of 102 small businesses Sam’s Club is helping during the 2012 holiday season. Along with SCORE Foundation (Small Business Association), Sam’s Club is supporting customized training and providing $1,000 in merchandise to help us grow our small business (December 2012)
- Direct Steel & Construction recognized as Honoree at Athena International convention (October 2012)
- Direct Steel & Construction received a Certificate of Registration for U.S. Trademark of “Direct Steel” (October 2012)
- Direct Steel & Construction awarded the Small Business Association SCORE Mentor program (September 2012)
- Direct Steel & Construction participates in Groundbreaking for Dorr Township’s new office (August 2012)
- Direct Steel & Construction was presented the Varco Pruden Buildings Hall of Fame plaque (August 2012)
- Direct Steel & Construction president, Rosemary Swierk, presented Athena Powerlink Award (June 2012)
- Direct Steel & Construction earned the Varco Pruden Buildings Hall of Fame award (April 2012)
- Direct Steel & Construction nominated as Small Business Association’s SCORE Women-Owned Small Business of the Year (March 2012)
- Direct Steel & Construction is authorized by American Institute of Architects to provide pre-engineered metal building presentations for educational credit (February 2012)
- Direct Steel & Construction highlighted within the DexOne produced video (October 2011)
- Direct Steel & Construction recognized in Today’s Chicago Woman’s magazine (May 2011) – Read More
- Direct Steel & Construction receives the Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity (DECO) contract (January 2011) - Direct Steel & Construction is awarded the Women’s Business Development Center WBE of the Month (November 2010)
Speaking Engagements
- Direct Steel and Construction featured panelist at SBDC Economic Development Forum – March 2025
- Direct Steel and Construction featured speaker at Department of Navy – OSBP event – August 2024
- Direct Steel and Construction featured on BBC – January 2024 – Listen Here
- Featured panelist; Construction Industry Conference – November 2023
- Presented to US Congress Small Business Committee, Senate Small Business Committee and White House – 2022
- Direct Steel and Construction featured speaker in Goldman Sach’s podcast (October 2021) Read More
- Featured Speaker – Ask the Experts – Read More
- Featured Speaker – Tastytrade, Bootstrapping in America – Read More
- Featured Guest – Glen Eagle Advisors
- Represented as featured panelist for USACE; Louisville District Conference (August 2019) – Photo Here
- Challenge HER Success Story: Rosemary Swierk, President, Direct Steel and Construction – Read More
- Presented during EPA, SBA & WBDC Women’s History Event as Featured Panelist (March 2018)
- Featured panelist at the National Association of REALTORS Conference (November 2017)
- Featured panelist at WIPP Conference sponsored by Department of Defense (July 2017)
- Featured panelist at WBDC/PTAC sponsored event (April 2017)
- Featured panelist at Procurement Technical Assistance Center & Women Business Development Center event (March 2017)
- Featured panelist at the 5th Annual Middle Market Manufacturing Investment Conference (February 2017)
- Featured panelist for the Secrets of Successful Women Entrepreneurs (September 2016)
- Featured panelist for the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce (September 2015)
- Featured panelist for the Illinois Diversity Council (May 2015)
- Featured speaker at Indiana University Business Forum (March 2015)
- Featured presenter at NSEN event (November 2014)
- Featured panelist for the Small Business Administration Contract Connections and ChallengeHER event (August 2014)
- Featured panelist for WBDC: Business Success
- Featured panelist for the Indiana University Chicago Advancement; Risk and Reward Event (May 2014)
Business Advocate
- Direct Steel and Construction advocates for businesses (November 2023) – BBC broadcast
- Direct Steel and Construction advocates for small businesses (May 2023) – U.S. default would be ‘catastrophic,’ small businesses say – The Washington Post and Debt ceiling crisis leads small businesses to brace for the worst (nbcnews.com)
- Direct Steel and Construction represented at 10KSB Summit in Washington, DC (July 2022) Read More
- Represented at the WBENC Dallas Summit & Salute Conference (March 2018)
- Represented amongst the over 2,200 Alumni from Chicago and across the country attending the first-ever 10KSB National Alumni Summit in Washington, DC (Special Guests Included Warren Buffet, Lloyd Blankfein, Michael Bloomberg, Sara Blakely, Tyler Perry and many more)
- Represented at Capitol Hill (February 2018)
- Represented Small Business during SBDC Advisory Board Meeting (September 2017)
- Direct Steel & Construction President was appointed to Advisory Board (June 2016)
- Metal Builder Manufacturers Association (MBMA) Contractor Task Group Appointment (June 2015)
- Appointed to the State of Illinois Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) Advisory Board (October 2014)
- Small Business Administration (SBA) hosts round table at Direct Steel & Construction offices (April 2013)
Continued Education & Certifications
- OSHA 30 Hour Construction Training
- AED, Adult, Child, Infant CPR & AED Training (BLS)
- USACE/NAVFAC Construction Quality Management for Contractors training course completion (September 2023)
- Counterintelligence and Security Agency training for Insider Threat Awareness completed October 2023
- Certified completion of OPSEC Awareness for Military Members, DOD Employees, and Contractors (July 2023)
- Trained in Level 1 Antiterrorism Awareness through Joint Knowledge Online (July 2023)
- Completion of the U.S. Small Business Administration Cybersecurity for Small Business online training (March 2021)
- Direct Steel and Construction President Graduates from the SBA Emerging Leaders Program (October 2018)
- Direct Steel & Construction President graduates from the Dartmouth/Tuck Executive Program II (October 2017)
- LEED Green Associate Accreditation Renewed (April 2015)
- Dartmouth/Tuck Executive Program (October 2013)
- LEED Green Associate accreditation earned (June 2011)
- Awarded the Athena Power Link Program (May 2011)
- Represented as Founding Member of the Varco Pruden Buildings Green Advisory Board (May 2011)
Our Certifications
Serving A Variety of Industries
Direct Steel is proud to serve a wide range of clients in various industries.