Jimmy TenBrink, Waséyabek Development Company, LLC Director of Business Development, was invited by MiBiz to sit on a panel of executives assembled to discuss the health of the West Michigan dealmaking market for 2019.

The participants agreed there is excellent potential for 2019 in the M&A market; however, they mentioned the pressure in the marketplace currently pulling high valuations down as well as an uptick in the number of distressed deals crossing their paths. The panelists were of the same opinion that these circumstances necessitate higher levels of due diligence responsibilities to ensure successful deal executions.

When asked to give the panel “one prediction for 2019” Jimmy replied, “You’re going to hear more from [Tribally-owned] enterprises. Every tribe in the state has some form of an [economic development company], and not all of them are taking the family office type approach to what they’re doing, but I think you’ll hear more from them.”

To read the article in its entirety, follow this link: M&A/PE Roundtable: Advisers see strong M&A market ahead, even as distressed deals, due diligence ramps up

Waséyabek Development Company, LLC (WDC) is proud to announce that Baker Engineering LLC. (BEI), a subsidiary of WDC, is displaying at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Indianapolis, Indiana December 6-8.

The PRI Trade Show is considered three of the largest business days in motorsports when the worldwide racing industry gathers in one place. Thousands of professional race teams, from NASCAR Cup teams to NHRA Top Fuel, Japan to the UK, send buyers to ensure they are current with today’s race technology.

1,100 companies are in Indianapolis displaying the latest advances in racing products and race engineering, and BEI is one of those elite companies!

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Local Business President & CEO, Deidra Mitchell, Named to NSBA Leadership Council

Deidra Mitchell, President & CEO of Waséyabek Development Company, LLC (WDC) located in Grand Rapids, Michigan was recently named to the National Small Business Association (NSBA) Leadership Council. NSBA is the nation’s oldest small-business advocacy organization and operates on a staunchly nonpartisan basis. Mitchell, a recognized leader in the small-business community, joins the NSBA Leadership Council alongside other small-business advocates from across the country as they work to promote the interests of small business to policymakers in Washington, D.C.

“As a Tribally-owned, small-business leader, I see daily the importance of being involved and active when it comes to laws and regulation,” stated Mitchell. “Joining NSBA’s Leadership Council will enable me to take our collective small-business message to the people that can solidify change: Our partners in Congress.”

Mitchell, a Kent State University graduate, and former small business owner joined WDC in early 2016 to implement a non-gaming, economic diversification strategy for the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi. Her efforts have resulted in acquiring four commercial income properties and two operating businesses, launching a federal contracting practice, deploying $34MM in the Michigan economy, and creating 18 new Michigan-based jobs.

Mitchell joined the NSBA Leadership Council as part of her efforts to tackle the many critical issues facing small business, including health care costs, how the Affordable Care Act will impact small business and regulatory changes (especially those related to federal contracting), and minority ownership and certification. The NSBA Leadership Council is focused on providing valuable networking between small-business advocates from across the country while ensuring small business a seat at the table as Congress and regulators take up key small-business proposals.

“I am proud to have Mitchell as part of our Leadership Council,” stated NSBA President and CEO Todd McCracken. “She came to us highly recommended, and I look forward to our coordinated efforts for years to come.”

For more on the NSBA Leadership Council, please visit: http://leadership.nsba.biz/about-us/