Indiana – Steve Sandoval is helping reshape Indiana’s housing landscape by focusing on one of the state’s most pressing needs: quality, large-scale rental housing. As a co-founder of Patrium, a construction management company specializing in multi-family developments, Sandoval is working to create projects that do more than add buildings to skylines. His goal is to support long-term community growth while expanding access to housing across Indiana.
Patrium was founded by Sandoval and his brother, Luis, after years of shared ambition and complementary career paths. Luis brought decades of hands-on experience, having helped build thousands of apartment units across the United States. Steve, meanwhile, spent much of his career developing and consulting for businesses throughout the Midwest and Southeast. Together, they saw an opportunity to combine their skills into one company with a clear purpose.
The timing proved critical. Indiana, particularly the nine-county central region, saw a historic surge in demand for quality rental housing. Patrium entered the market ready to respond. The company now leads large-scale multi-family developments in East Chicago, downtown Indianapolis, and Jeffersonville. Each project is designed to strengthen neighborhoods while addressing the state’s growing housing supply gap.
As Patrium expanded, Sandoval remained focused not only on growth, but also on leadership and inclusion within the construction industry. As a Hispanic business owner, he is acutely aware of the industry’s imbalance. Nearly half of all construction workers in the United States are Hispanic or Latino, yet only about 20 percent hold upper management roles. For Sandoval, this gap reflects deeper issues tied to language, culture, and access.
One of Patrium’s guiding goals is to help close those gaps. The company works to promote leadership pathways and encourage stronger connections between workers, managers, and partners. Sandoval believes that inclusive leadership leads to better projects, stronger teams, and healthier communities.
Hispanic Heritage Month carries both personal and professional meaning for him. “Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to reflect on the challenges and successes of our ancestors that made it possible for us to be part of this great American experiment. We are proud to be Americans, and even more proud to contribute to the nation’s growth by helping build housing that supports families and communities.”
A key factor in Patrium’s rapid growth has been its deep involvement in Indianapolis’s business ecosystem. Sandoval credits the Indy Chamber with helping guide the company through critical stages of development. Through Enterprise Corps business classes, Patrium sharpened its strategy and leadership approach during periods of rapid expansion.
The Marketing class helped the company better define its ideal clients, leading to more focused and profitable projects. The Strategy class pushed Patrium’s leadership team to confront major growth challenges with discipline and clarity. The Leadership class proved equally important, prompting the company to rethink how it structures teams and integrates new talent as operations scale.
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Beyond formal programs, the Indy Chamber provided ongoing access to networking opportunities and professional committees. These connections helped Patrium build relationships with subcontractors, developers, and service providers. As projects became more complex, access to trusted legal, financial, and insurance partners became essential to sustaining growth.
For Sandoval, the Indy Chamber represents more than a business resource. It is a central part of the company’s professional community and a driver of broader economic development. He views it as a platform that supports innovation while helping address Indiana’s long-term housing challenges.
When asked what advice he would offer other Hispanic entrepreneurs in Indianapolis, Sandoval emphasizes collaboration over competition. “First, a rising tide lifts all boats. We support our peers with bidding, certifications, and business organization because it elevates the entire community. When one business grows stronger, it creates opportunities for others to succeed as well.”
He also stresses the importance of trust and shared purpose. “Second, lasting businesses are built on the relationships and trust forged between companies. Collaboration and a shared vision are essential for long-term success, year after year. That belief is our ‘why’ as we work together to build opportunity and contribute to the American dream.”
Through Patrium’s expanding portfolio, Steve Sandoval continues to turn that belief into reality, one community-focused housing project at a time.
