Chief Operating Officer Rabih Jamal leaves a legacy of economic growth after several years of service at Waséyabek.
Waséyabek, a leading economic development firm in Michigan’s Indian Country, today announced a planned transition within its executive team involving Chief Operating Officer, Rabih Jamal. Jamal will resign from his position by the end of 2025 to begin a new business venture.
Waséyabek is the 100% Tribally-owned holding company that manages the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi’s (NHBP) non-gaming economic development activities. It was established in 2011 and began full administrative operations in 2016.
Since first engaging with Waséyabek in 2017, Jamal has worked with president and CEO Deidra Mitchell to expand the company from a startup with three employees to an established portfolio that now has full or majority ownership of more than 30 business entities, employing over 650 people worldwide. This diversified portfolio serves multiple industries including software solutions for the defense sector, propulsion design and manufacturing, healthcare technology, transportation, environmental solutions, executive management and turnaround consulting, professional services, and facilities management.
Prior to joining Waséyabek, Jamal worked as Managing Partner at DWH, a business advisory firm. That firm is now one of the portfolio companies owned by Waséyabek.
“We’re extremely happy for Rabih as he transitions to this next chapter in his professional life. He has been a trusted colleague and an insightful investment, operations, and finance executive during his time here and has been extremely important to the future sustainability of the Waséyabek portfolio and the NHBP Tribe. From the start, Rabih and I have been aligned in our shared goal to deliver positive economic outcomes. We’re enormously grateful for his service and we’re hopeful that we will have opportunities to work together in the future.”
Jamal was instrumental in many of Waséyabek’s largest investment endeavors including the acquisition of DWH, Safari Circuits in Otsego, and Zip Xpress, Green Transportation and Great Lakes Warehousing in the Holland area. He’s also assisted with securing majority ownership of BLDI in Grand Rapids and VES in Maryland. Additionally, he has assisted Waséyabek with several passive investments, and helped to expand its real estate portfolio.
“This is an exciting transition for me, but it was also a very difficult decision because of the culture and success at Waséyabek,” said Jamal. “The NHBP Tribe, Board of Directors and most notably, Deidra Mitchell, have displayed the vision necessary for long-term economic growth and sustainability. Few Tribes are as forward-looking as the NHBP and their commitment to the vision of Waséyabek has truly made our success possible.”
A nationwide search is underway to find a replacement for Jamal.