Safari Circuits, an innovative leader in electronics manufacturing, engineering services, and supply chain management, announced today the hiring of Craig Nelson as company president.

Nelson will join long-time Safari executive Mike Kintz in leading the firm. Kintz has served the dual role of president and CEO of Safari for more than 18 months, following the purchase of the firm by Waséyabek Development Company (WDC), the non-gaming economic development entity of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribe. Under the new leadership structure, Kintz will remain as CEO and will oversee all strategic and operational decisions for the company. Nelson will take over the day-to-day operations, focusing on product development, logistics, customer relations, business development, personnel, and all other management duties.

Prior to joining Safari Circuits, Nelson had a successful 22-year career with Stryker Corporation where he held a variety of leadership roles in operations and supply chain, including Vice President of Operations Innovation and Vice President of Global Sourcing for the last nine years.

“We are very fortunate to have Craig join the Safari leadership team,” said Mike Kintz. “He has been a key business partner for us in his role at Stryker, and he possesses a tremendous understanding of our business and how we operate. We’re excited to bring him on as president as we look to grow our business in several key markets.”

Nelson received his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from Western Michigan University and has completed the Harvard Business School Executive Education program. He is a board member of the Performance Review Institute, a global authority focused on industry-managed programs for a variety of industries including defense, aviation, space, transportation, energy, manufacturing, construction, and medical devices.

“Safari Circuits is one of those rare companies where the innovative talents of the staff mesh perfectly with the leadership vision to deliver a high level of product quality and customer satisfaction,” said Nelson. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to join this firm at this point in my life, and I look forward to working with the staff and our customers to build on Safari’s legacy of excellence.”

Safari Circuits was founded in 1985 and serves clients in the medical, instrumentation, industrial, automotive, and military sectors. It employs more than 150 people. Waséyabek Development Company purchased the company in January 2021. WDC was formed by the NHBP Tribe with the purpose of diversifying its economic portfolio and supporting the long-term sustainability of the Tribe.

Bethany Harris, Waséyabek’s Executive Vice President of 8(a) Business, was invited to serve as a panelist at the 2023 Women in Defense – Michigan Chapter – Small business Summit. This is the Michigan’s Chapter second annual Summit, which will be held on March 21, 2023, at the GEM Theater in Detroit. Attendees will connect with Department of Defense leaders, cultivate relationships with primes, learn about opportunities for small business engagement, and discover how to stand out from competitors.

Grand Rapids Business Journal’s Notable West Michigan Lawyers recognizes members of the legal profession who are making their mark in the community in a variety of ways. All are attorneys, but each is contributing to West Michigan’s growth by using their legal expertise in areas beyond the office and courtroom. This year’s Notables “class” includes pro-bono champions, Tribal law experts, in-house legal counsel, trailblazers, and those who are comfortable on the national and international stages.

William “Bill” Brooks is a trusted advisor for Waséyabek Development Company (WDC) and FireKeepers Casino Hotel (FKCH), wholly-owned entities of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Indians (NHBP), and remains Special Counsel to NHBP after serving as its Chief Legal Officer.  Mr. Brooks is recognized as a leader in Indian Country.  During his 30+ year legal career, he has advised multiple Native American Tribes, and has played a key role in developing the legal framework for Tribal gaming, government structures, and economic diversification initiatives undertaken by his Tribal clients.  What sets Mr. Brooks apart from other legal professionals is his knowledge of a wide range of subject matters under state/federal law as well as the nuances associated with federal Indian law, Native American legal systems, and Tribal governments.

In 2017, Mr. Brooks was awarded the Tecumseh Peacekeeping Award by State Bar of Michigan in recognition of his contributions to the advancement of the interests of Tribes and law in the State.  In addition to his work with WDC & FKCH, he’s served as adjunct faculty at MSU School of Law, as Chair of the State Bar’s Standing Committee on Indian Law, and on the State Bar’s Indian Law Section.

NHBP Tribal Council Chair, Jamie Stuck, says “Bill Brooks is a trusted advisor, friend, and mentor; conducting himself with the highest level of professionalism and according to the Seven Grandfather Teachings.” Jamie added, “Bill has played a key role in rebuilding the NHBP Nation. He truly cares for our people and the future of our Tribe.”

Baker Engineering, a leader in power, propulsion, and advanced technology solutions for aerospace and defense industry companies as well as government contracting agencies, announced today it has hired two industry veterans to oversee its business operations.

Luke Wackerle will now serve as president of Baker Engineering. Mr. Wackerle brings more than 17 years of operational leadership, project management, supply chain solution knowledge and manufacturing design experience to Baker. He most recently served as operations manager at Jedco, Inc., a supplier of aerospace and defense industry products based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Baker Engineering has also named Shawn Knop as manufacturing manager at its Nunica, Michigan facility. Mr. Knop is a military veteran who served three tours of duty in Iraq as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps. He has 15 years of private sector experience with companies specializing in aviation and defense industry products. That work includes serving as a business unit manager, production supervisor, engineer and machinist.

“We’re extremely pleased to add Luke and Shawn to the Baker Engineering management team,” said Deidra Mitchell, president and CEO of Waséyabek Development Company (WDC). “The combination of their military, aerospace and engineering experience will strengthen our position as an innovative sole-source provider for defense industry clients.”

Baker Engineering is a subsidiary of WDC, which is the non-gaming economic development company of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Indians. As a wholly-owned Native American company, Baker Engineering is a Small Business Administration 8(a) certified firm. It already has several design and manufacturing contracts with the federal government.

“Baker Engineering has a tremendously innovative design and manufacturing team that is laser-focused on serving our customers,” said Mitchell. “We are confident these new management members will help us increase revenue and drive production growth in the coming years.”