Company History
Constructing Arizona’s Future for More Than 50 Years
Sun State Builders has helped shape Arizona for more than five decades. Founded in 1973 by Jim Chamberlain, the company was built on a strong foundation of construction expertise and financial responsibility. Following in the footsteps of two generations before him, Jim combined his experience in finance and construction to establish Sun State Builders as a trusted Arizona general contractor known for quality, integrity, and long-term relationships.
Under Jim’s leadership, the company grew into a respected commercial construction firm with a team of more than 50 professionals and a diverse portfolio of projects across Arizona. Sun State Builders has completed ground-up developments and renovations in office, retail, industrial, hospitality, and multifamily sectors, along with tenant improvement projects ranging from 5,000 to more than 1,000,000 square feet.
In 2020, after 47 years in business, Jim expanded company ownership by welcoming three longtime employees as partners: Curt Johannson, Mike Forst, and Andrea Piering. Each brought decades of experience and deep knowledge of the company’s operations.
Curt Johannson joined Sun State Builders in 1993 as a superintendent and advanced through several leadership roles, including senior project manager, production manager, and vice president overseeing quality control. Mike Forst came to the company more than 20 years ago as finance and development manager, playing a key role in guiding financial strategy and growth. Andrea Piering joined the team in 1998 and developed extensive expertise in project management, overseeing more than $250 million in construction projects during her tenure.
In January 2024, Curt Johannson formally retired and Jim Chamberlain stepped down as CEO after five decades of leadership. Jim remains actively involved with the company as an advisor, supporting development initiatives.
Today, Mike Forst serves as CEO and Andrea Piering as President, leading Sun State Builders into its next chapter. Together, they share a vision of building on the company’s strong legacy while driving continued innovation, growth, and excellence in Arizona construction.