In 1911, after graduating from Washington State College in Pullman, Washington, with a civil engineering degree and an additional degree in mathematics, Harold Arthur Sewell went to work for Pend Oreille County as a surveyor in Newport, Washington. In 1914 he was elected County Engineer for Pend Oreille County and held that position for four years. Then in 1919, Harold, licensed as a Professional Engineer and Professional Land Surveyor, started the firm Interstate Engineering & Construction Company based in Newport, Washington.
In 1942, Harold changed the firm name to H.A. Sewell Consulting and Contracting Engineers, the firm location remained in Newport, Washington.
In 1945, Harold brought in his son James Arthur Sewell, who also received his civil engineering degree at Washington State University, to join the firm’s ownership.
After James received his Professional Engineer and Professional Land Surveyor license in 1946, the firm converted to a partnership, and the company name was changed to H.A. Sewell & J.A. Sewell Consulting and Contracting Engineers; the company location remained in Newport, Washington.
In the early 1950s, H.A. Sewell & J.A. Sewell Consulting and Contracting Engineers opened a branch location in Spokane, Washington. The firm hired Bob McLean, a licensed Electrical Engineer, to work out of the Spokane location.
In the early 1960s, Harold and James invited Bob McLean and Don Ellersick, a licensed Civil Engineer who worked out of the Newport location, to join them in the partnership.
Harold passed away in 1969, leaving James, Bob, and Don to run the business. In 1971 the company name was changed to James A. Sewell & Associates, with locations in Newport and Spokane, Washington.
In the early 1970s, Don Ellersick left the firm’s ownership to pursue other ventures. In the mid 1970’s, Bob McLean retired.
In the 1980s, a few partners joined the ownership of James A. Sewell & Associates. Including Joe Olmstead as a licensed Civil Engineer in 1980, Eric Eldenburg as a licensed Civil and Structural Engineer in 1985, both working out of the Newport location and Ken Gardner in 1987 as a licensed Electrical Engineer working out of the Spokane location.
In 1993, James retired from the firm, and in 1994 Randy Hoisington, a licensed Professional Land Surveyor, joined the ownership working out of the Newport location.
In 1997, the firm opened a branch location in Sandpoint, Idaho.
In 2000, Ray Henriksen, a certified Land Use Planner, joined the ownership working out of the Newport location initially but later transferred to the Sandpoint location.
Joe Olmstead retired from ownership of the firm in 2006, with Ken Gardner following in 2007.
In 2007, the owners converted the business to a limited liability company, thus changing the company name to James A. Sewell & Associates, LLC, with locations in Newport and Spokane, Washington, and Sandpoint, Idaho.
In 2008, Tim Blankenship, a licensed Civil Engineer, joined the ownership working out of the Sandpoint location.
In 2012, Randy Hoisington retired after 43 years of surveying for the firm.
In 2017, Ray Henriksen retired from the firm's ownership, with Tim Blankenship following in 2018. Tim’s retirement left Eric Eldenburg as the sole owner of the firm.
In 2020, Eric Eldenburg retired as the sole owner after 45 years with the firm, selling the business to four key employees. Kevin Koesel, a licensed Civil Engineer, who began his employment with the firm in 1997; Kevin Akesson, a licensed Civil and Structural Engineer, who began his employment with the firm in 1993; Scott Brown, a licensed Civil Engineer, who began his employment with the firm in 2019; and Kathy Burgess, Business Manager who began her employment with the firm in 1991.
Currently, James A. Sewell & Associates, LLC is operating as a Limited Liability Company owned in partnership by the four working members that have been with the firm for a combined total of more than 80 years.
Our professional staff includes licensed civil and structural engineers, professional land surveyors, and land-use planners. Support staff includes engineering interns, survey technicians, drafting and design technicians, construction inspectors, building inspectors, and office administrators.