History

Founded in 1963, Shows, Dearman & Waits (SDW) has delivered exceptional civil engineering solutions with a focus on quality, efficiency and community impact from day one.

Our Legacy of Delivering Results That Matter

SDW has a rich history spanning over six decades. Our founders, Paul Shows and Raymond Dearman, brought together different strengths — Paul with hands-on field expertise and Raymond with technical engineering leadership—to shape a firm that has stood the test of time. Over the years, our team has carried forward its vision, delivering high-quality, results-driven engineering solutions that continue to make a difference.

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Our Tradition Through the Years

1963

Paul Shows and Raymond Dearman found SDW.

1971

SDW constructs what is now the Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport.

1974

SDW builds Cooperative Energy’s Plant Morrow in Purvis, MS.

1980

SDW assists in the survey and construction of the Merit Health Wesley Hospital campus.

1984

Mike Waits joins SDW.

1985

SDW installs Petal, MS main collector trunk sewer system.

1989

Longtime SDW employee Jack Gay is elected as Petal’s first full-time mayor.

1991

The company became Shows, Dearman & Waits, Inc.

1995

SDW constructs Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center.

SDW builds the Hattiesburg Convention Center.

1996

Paul Shows passed away.

Nicholas Connolly joins SDW.

SDW moves to its current location.

1998

Kyle Wallace joins SDW.

2004

Shea McNease joins SDW.

2005

John Weeks joins SDW.

2009

Nicholas Connolly, Kyle Wallace, Shea McNease and John Weeks become partners/owners of SDW.

2013

Raymond Dearman retires.

2015

Mike Wait retires.

2021

SDW undertakes the largest project to date: the East Hardy Street / S Main Street Bridge replacement.