Our Mission
To make a positive impact on the lives of people by creating inspiring building environments with unprecedented service and solutions.
Our Vision
To help individuals lead purposeful lives and contribute to a mission greater than themselves.
We are committed to fulfilling the dreams of our families, our loved ones, and our clients.
To achieve this, we prioritize building strong relationships with our clients, offering exceptional value
in the market, and shining as a beacon of excellence in our industry, community, and the world.
We aim to be the preferred provider of institutional furniture across the southeastern United States and Texas.
Through these efforts, we will establish a legacy for future generations of which we can be proud.
Our Values
People Matter More
Follow the Golden Rule
Care for our SWA family and community
Your family cares, safety first!
Deliver WOW!
Build cathedrals
Create inspiring environments
Provide first-class customer service at every step
Finish strong!
Make it Better
Passionately innovate
Work like you are the next link in the chain
Challenge the status quo
Turn negatives into positives
Accomplish Together
Create and solve together
Partnerships are powerful
Celebrate successes and share victories
Shine!
Positivity is contagious
Be thankful - we're too blessed to be stressed
Smile, laugh, love, and have fun
Leadership Team
Andrew Ward
Chief Executive Officer (Principal)
Andrew came to work full-time with SWA in May 2003 after a two year stint in the music industry. Andrew grew up around the family business, learning much through conversations at home and in the field during the summers of his youth.
During the majority of his time with SWA, Andrew has worked in a business development role for the company. Today, Andrew is a part owner in the company and is excited to live out the remainder of his career carrying on the family business.
At home, Andrew is married and is the father of three children. On weekends, he is usually found on the golf course, watching sports, and spending time with his family.
Stephen Ward
President (Principal)
Prior to joining SWA full time in 2005, Stephen worked in management consulting for 6 years after graduating from Colgate University.
Stephen began his career with SWA in sales covering the Central Florida region. In 2012, Stephen moved to SWA’s home office in Nashville in order to take over the role of Director of Pre-Construction. Stephen is a part owner in the company.
Stephen is married and the grateful father of three children. In his spare time, Stephen enjoys playing golf, spending time with his family, and learning about wine.
Geoff McElrath
VP Sales & Marketing
In 2004, Geoff began his career with SWA in sales covering the East Tennessee territory. Over the years, Geoff’s role and territory has expanded, and he currently serves as Vice President of Sales & Marketing.
Prior to SWA, Geoff served in both the United States Navy and Army Reserve for 10 years. Geoff is married and the father of three children.
Terry McCoy
Chief Financial Officer
Terry is a CPA and graduate of the University of New Orleans.
Prior to joining SWA in 1995, he practiced public accounting for 10 years with clients in a variety of industries and was controller of the casual dining and Lee’s Famous Chicken divisions of Shoney’s Inc.
Terry is married and has 3 children. He loves exploring God’s creation on a stand up paddle board, attending his kids’ ballgames and is a firm believer that life’s just better in a baseball cap.
Chris Rogers
VP Continuous Improvement
In 1995, Chris began his career with SWA as a Project Manager managing large corporate accounts, including the vast majority of the work at Vanderbilt University. In 2014, he took on the responsibility as Director of Installation for all SWA projects which has allowed him to work directly with the SWA team of installers and subcontractors.
Chris is married and has three children. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time fishing on the lake.
Eddie Brewster
VP Project Management
Eddie is a 1994 graduate of Middle Tennessee State University. After graduating from MTSU, Eddie joined SWA in 1994 as a project estimator and moved into the Project Management department in 2000. He currently serves as a Director of Project Management.
Eddie is married and has one son. He loves to watch his son play high school football and spend quality time with his family.
Tommy Bolles
Director of Healthcare Inside Sales
Tommy started with SWA in 1986 as a builder/ carpenter in the SWA Millwork shop and moved into the Preconstruction department in 1992. In 2010 he became the Director of Preconstruction.
Tommy is married with one child and is one of the thirteen hundred and fifty-two guitar pickers in Nashville.
Cory Tidwell
Director of Engineering
Cory started working at Steve Ward & Associates in 1997 in the engineering department after working for 2 years at a residential cabinet shop building and installing custom kitchen cabinets. In 2023 Cory became the Director of Engineering at SWA.
Cory is married with 3 children and enjoys hunting, fishing, and working on the family farm.
Brian Crews
Director of Preconstruction
Brian began working at Steve Ward and associates as a document manger in 2015 after a 20-year career in the printing industry. He quickly moved into an estimating role where he found success estimating national health care projects. In 2020 Brian became the Director of Preconstruction Estimating.
Brian is married with two kids and enjoys kayaking and fishing in his free time.
Dean Morgan
Director of Installation
Dean began working at SWA as an installation helper in 2000. He has progressed through the ranks over the years primarily due to his hard working attitude and his commitment to serve our customers on a daily basis.
Dean is married with two children. In his free time, he enjoys spending time at the river and working on his family farm.
Looking to reach our Sales team?
If you need to locate a direct sales person please take a look at our directory to locate their information.
Our Founder
Steve Ward
Steve Ward founded Steve Ward and Associates, Inc. on August 19, 1979. Thus SWA is over 40 years old!
Started as a one person office, SWA now employs 60 people. Additionally, we impact another 50 families through our network of subcontractors. SWA has performed work throughout the Continental United States and Alaska.
"From day one, our goal has always been to meet the needs of our customers while honoring the people with whom we partner on a day to day basis. We tried to make it simple by following “The Golden Rule” – treat others as we would like to be treated."
-Steve Ward
Our History
Incorporated in 1979 as a full-service dealer for institutional fixed furniture, and a manufacturer of custom architectural millwork,
Steve Ward & Associates serves customers in healthcare, education, research and development, and industry.
Although concentrated in the Southeast, we have performed major installations throughout the continental United States and Alaska.
Over the years, to meet the growing needs of our customers, we have added both personnel and products. In addition to over 60 full-time
team members, we partner as needed with highly qualified companies that specialize in our areas of expertise
After extensive research of available sources, we have chosen to assemble a package of products from various manufacturers.
This approach differentiates us from our competitors who sell only products of a single manufacturer and allows us
to provide our customers with a “custom-tailored solution.”
