Arviso Construction Company Inc.

A Navajo family-owned business since 1982, Arviso Construction Company (ACC) has become known as a company of integrity, teamwork and commitment. In nearly 35 years of general contracting, ACC has been improving the economic situations for numerous Native American clients in the residential and commercial sectors. In addition to working in its home state of New Mexico, ACC serves clients throughout Arizona, Colorado and Utah.

Founded by Olsen Arviso Sr., ACC has thrived on the philosophy that all clients are viewed as “respected friends.” Due to the standards of quality that ACC has upheld throughout its existence, the company has retained numerous repeat clients, which account for approximately 90 percent of its business.

The company has also remained a family affair as Olsen’s four children all remain involved in the venture, with his son, Orville Arviso, serving as president. “Our entire family works here,” says Orville. “My two brothers are project managers and my sister runs the office.” The third generation of the Arviso family is now involved with the company as well.

Earning a position in the market

Although ACC is a family business, none of the Arviso children were handed their positions. “We had to start from the bottom as laborers and work our way up,” recalls Orville. “I’m glad my father did it this way because we learned all aspects of the business as well as an appreciation for the hard work it takes to run this business.”

With approximately 50 full- and part-time employees, ACC completes residential and commercial projects in the $100,000 to $16 million range, often for clients within the Navajo Nation. A recent job the company completed, which was well above the average price tag, was a $13 million housing project. The facility included 66 units on different sites stretched out over a distance of 150 miles. “The distance was the major challenge” shares Orville.

Despite the obstacles created by the location differences, ACC was able to complete the entire housing development in under a year. “Due to a competitive bidding process, selecting the subcontractors was also a challenge as we were forced to go with the lowest bidder,” he explains.

As a local, 100 percent Navajo-owned business, ACC has established relationships with many qualified subcontractors in the area. This has proven to be beneficial for more than just the obvious reasons. As the Navajo Nation remains a remote area, ACC is required to take advantage of all resources available. While the company maintains the ability to self-perform a fair amount of work, ACC relies on the strong relationships it has built with its strategic partners when it comes to trades such as electrical, plumbing and mechanical.

Building upon success for a bright future

With a track record consisting of a large volume of work and capacity, Arviso has consistently been able to respond to the fluctuating demands of the construction industry. With its ability to not only survive, but also thrive throughout the years, ACC has obtained a strong grasp on what success means. “To me, success means being respected due to honesty,” says Orville. “If you have those two things, you will always have customers coming back to you. Those are our strong points, which is why we have that kind of relationship with the Navajo Nation government.”

In dealing with the millennial generation entering the workforce, ACC has embraced the opportunity to not only accept fresh ideas, but also use the wisdom within the company to train and mentor the younger employees. “We offer training programs where our more seasoned workers mentor the newer employees on the actual jobsite,” Orville explains. “We have some part-time employees as young as 18 who work with us in the summer. They seem to really enjoy it and learn a lot. They have actually inspired some of our employees to want to become mentors.”

Building upon its reputation as a firm that delivers a quality product and service while maintaining integrity and earning respect, ACC is dedicated to improving the lives of Native Americans. Founder Olsen Arviso Sr. has built a legacy that would make any family proud. By raising his children to appreciate hard work and earn respect, Arviso Construction Company Inc. will remain a leader in the Navajo Nation as its core principles will be carried on by future generations.