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.”

Waséyabek Development Company (WDC) announces the appointment of two individuals to leadership positions with the organization.

Sara Moore, a Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) Indians Tribal Member, has been appointed to a four-year term on the WDC Board of Directors. Ms. Moore has more than ten years’ experience in marketing and communications. She currently owns her own media company located in Grand Rapids, where she offers blogging, brand management, and social media services. She is also currently a member of the NHBP Culture Committee. Ms. Moore earned both a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Science degree in Communications from Grand Valley State University.

Additionally, WDC has hired Danielle Smith to serve as the vice president of human resources with the firm. Ms. Smith brings with her more than twenty years’ experience in the human resources field at large and mid-sized companies. Prior to joining Waséyabek, she led the global human resources efforts for Shape Corp., a Tier 1 automotive supplier headquartered in West Michigan. Her specialties include organizational development, change management, and human resources process integration. Ms. Smith has served on a variety of community, educational, and industry boards including the GVSU HR Advisory Board, TalentFirst, and the Employers Association of West Michigan. She has an undergraduate degree in Political Economy and a graduate degree in Human Resources from Michigan State University.

“We’re pleased to welcome Sara and Danielle to WDC,” said Deidra Mitchell, President and CEO. “They each bring a set of life and professional skills that will strengthen our Board and our organization.”

We’re proud to announce that Deidra Mitchell was once again named as one of the 200 Most Powerful Business Leaders in West Michigan. This recognition comes from the Grand Rapids Business Journal, and acknowledges the most influential executives from a variety of industries across the region whose decisions have an impact on the community as a whole.

The Grand Rapids Business Journal creates this highly selective biographical database of business leaders by using key factors such as the size of a company or organization, growth rate, geographical reach, and extensive personal contacts. Congratulations, Deidra!

Waséyabek Development Company (WDC), a leading economic development firm in Michigan’s Indian Country, announced today it has purchased the manufacturing facility that houses RSI of West Michigan along with a neighboring vacant lot for possible future expansion.

RSI of West Michigan makes a variety of precision parts for automobiles, power sports equipment, sporting goods, and industrial equipment. The 30,000-square-foot building is located on 2.69 acres of land in the Getty Street Development in Muskegon. The vacant adjacent land is 4.52 acres and runs south of the RSI plant toward Nims Street. The company, formerly known as Re-source Industries, was purchased by WDC in August 2020. At the time the company’s former owner, Paul Kuyt, chose to stay on with WDC as President and retained ownership of the manufacturing facility.

“We’re extremely pleased to further our investment in Muskegon and create additional opportunities for growth in the future,” said Paul Kuyt, President of RSI. “RSI has seen a roughly 20% increase in revenue over the last year, and our staff size has grown by about 15% over the same time period. We have a great foundation for additional growth should current trends continue.”

WDC is the economic development arm of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Indians (NHBP) which has its ancestral lands in west and southwestern Michigan. Its economic portfolio now includes 25 business entities and investment ventures, spanning from coast-to-coast.

“This purchase is a continuation of our investment in the Muskegon community,” said Deidra Mitchell, President and CEO ofWaséyabek. “As a Tribally owned firm, we are always looking to invest and grow our investments in West Michigan and in turn strengthen the overall business climate near the Tribe’s ancestral land. This is a continuation of our long-term business strategy.”

“Working with the Tribe and WDC has been an amazing experience,” said Kuyt. “When you understand that their goals are focused on the next seven generations rather than short-term quick profits, it sets a tone that allows us to dream bigger dreams that will stand the test of time.”

The sale was completed on September 12, 2022.