My name is Jesse Bustamante, and I was born and raised in Tucson as a member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. My community fought for, and won, formal tribal recognition when I was a boy in the 1970s. My parents were tribal council leaders which gave me a front row seat to the process of building a community, and all the challenges that come with it. I grew up around construction and by the time I was in my early 20s, I was the CEO of the Pascua Yaqui Adobe Construction Company handling outside sales, logistics, and planning. That hands-on knowledge led to opportunities for formal construction education at the UofA, collaboration with other tribes around the country, and jobs at some of Tucson’s biggest construction and civil engineering firms. When the recession hit in 2008, I used all my skills to capitalize on the opportunities around me and helped build a thriving business as senior project manager at Sonoran Pueblo Contracting. Never happy to rest on my laurels, now is the right time for me to create something of my own.

JB&S Contracting LLC, my new general contracting venture, will use all my knowledge to help develop Tucson in an intentional and sustainable way. I’ve founded JB&S with the same principles I’ve lived my life and raised my family. At JB&S we combine traditional, zero waste techniques, creativity, and the best of modern materials with human connection and customer service. We understand how important it is to stick to a budget, and the financial and personal value your home has. If you’re looking for a partner who can help you build or maintain your home in a way that reflects your values, I encourage you to reach out to me to discuss your project further.

By Jess Bustamante