Two engine development programs underway at Baker Engineering, LLC (BEI), a subsidiary company of WDC, have recently been expanded to include a broader scope of work and additional funding.

The first program is for advanced drone small engine development, focusing on engine performance and durability improvement. The two-year program received $1 million in new funding from the U.S. Department of Defense.

The second is related to a proprietary engine design and development program for power management systems. Enginuity Power Systems recently issued a contract to fund an accelerated program, which includes engine design, manufacturing, and test validation in nine months.

BEI also has ongoing contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense. These contracts include developing advanced small diesel engines as well as micro turbo/superchargers to improve their performance in military applications.

With the recent acquisition of BEI, WDC noticed a need for a new General Manager position to continue growth and prosperity between this collaboration.

Robert F.X. Giroux draws from decades of experience as a senior executive within the commercial and federal marketplace. Giroux has expertise and professional working knowledge of specialty construction, industrial power and process, major office renovations, refinery construction, environmental remediation (including demolition), and secured facilities design-build.

Giroux is charged with expanding subsidiary federal business and mentoring subsidiary leadership in business development under the SBA 8(a) Program (certification pending).

Additionally, Giroux has extensive experience working with Tribal and minority organizations as a senior executive charged with strategic planning, organizational start-up, risk mitigation, business turn-around, and day-to-day management.

Giroux is a Tribal Member of the Ontario Woodland Metis Painted Feather Tribe.

For more information, please visit www.enginuitypowersystems.com

Dave Adkins Resets The LSX 1/8th Mile Record At The OSCR V

Written by Brian Wagner of DragZine (© 2018 Power Automedia. All rights reserved.)

Dave Adkins rolled into the 2018 racing season with an untested car in his Jerry Bickel Race Cars 1970 Camaro powered by a potent Baker Engineering LS-based engine, but he’s already grabbing attention after a successful weekend at the Outlaw Street Car Reunion. With just a few passes on the new combination, Adkins reset both ends of the LSX eighth-mile record with an astounding 3.87-second pass at 198 mph and has positioned himself to become a major player in the Radial vs The World category in 2018.

One of the original LSX pioneers in the ultimate radial tire class was Keith Berry, who held the LSX record prior to Adkins with his 3.97 at over 195 mph. Behind the wheel of his famous 1963 Impala, Adkins was able to match Berry’s record, before beating it with a 3.94-second pass at the NMCA All-Star Nationals in 2017. Coming into the new season, Adkins was confident he could go quicker and faster in the new Camaro due to its significant weight advantage and updated chassis design.

The Bickel-built Camaro is powered by a true LSX 427 cubic-inch engine that uses a Noonan Race Engineering billet block as its base. The cylinder heads are a billet aluminum Baker Engineering inline valve design that works with a Brian Tooley Racing/Cam Motion-based camshaft, PAC springs, and Thomsen Motorsports billet intake. A pair of Garrett GTX5533 turbos provide the big boost to the engine, while a ProTorque torque converter and RPM Transmission try to wrestle all the power the ground. Tuner and engine builder TJ Grimes controls the car with a Holley EFI system on each pass.

The first outing for the Camaro was at Lights Out 9 in February, where Adkins made five runs on the new car netting a best of 4.09 at 171 mph — a very good start for a brand-new car. At the Sweet 16 in March, Adkins planned on really turning the car up, but things didn’t go as planned. “At the Sweet 16, we had two runs that I ended up lifting because the car started to wheelie really bad. On the final run we broke the camshaft and that ended the event for us,” Adkins says.

Adkins went to the Outlaw Street Car Reunion V ready to build on the data collected in his previous two outings and chip away at the previous elapsed times. After struggling a bit in Testing, Adkins was able to rip off a 3.93-second pass during the first round of qualifying.

“We ended up qualifying number seven with the 3.87 pass in a field full of big-block nitrous, blower, and turbo cars. During the course of the weekend, we were able to run 4.01, 4.02, 3.93, 3.90, 3.95, and the 3.87. The car even pulled 3.25 G’s on one pass, so there’s a lot of potential with the new engine and car,” Adkins explains.

After an impressive performance at the Outlaw Street Car Reunion V, Adkins is ready to really see what the new car can do and get more laps in this year.

“We’re hoping to be the first LSX-powered car to run 200 in the eighth-mile and run in the 3.70s the next time we see some good radial prep. At some point we’re going to put the big tires on and try to be the first LSX-powered car to run in the five-second zone in the quarter-mile, too,” Adkins says.

With his crew of TJ Grimes and Kyle Homik on board, Adkins is ready to really turn his Camaro up to see what it can do in the future. As the team gathers more data on the new chassis and engine combination you can expect to see the LSX-powered door car records to fall even further in 2018.

Waséyabek Development Company, LLC (WDC) is looking for Tribal Members and non-Tribal Members to design a coloring page (with no colors added, simply an outline) featuring an original super hero that incorporates the WDC logo into the suit of the character.

The caption should read, “Find your super power at Waséyabek!”

Two winners will be selected; each will be awarded a $50 gift card.

The names of all participants that entered their artwork, but were not selected as a winner, will be placed in a random drawing for a $25 gift card.

Entries may be mailed, or emailed, to Waséyabek Development Company, LLC.

Mail entries to:

Waséyabek Development Company, LLC
16 Monroe Center Street NE Suite 200
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Email entries to: nruffer@waseyabek.com

Please include your name, age, contact method (mail, email, or telephone number) with your artwork so that WDC can inform you if selected as a winner or if your name is chosen in the random drawing.

Deadline for submission is May 31^st, 2018 | Winners will be notified by June 8^th, 2018 | Gift cards will be awarded by June 15^th, 2018 | All rights to chosen designs are reserved by WDC | Contest is open to entrants 18 years old and under

On Wednesday, March 7th, 2018, Waséyabek Development Company, LLC (WDC) President and CEO, Deidra Mitchell, was asked to serve on a panel of experts at the NCAIED National Reservation Economic Summit (RES) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The seminar, entitled “Economic Diversification – Expanding Beyond Single Revenue Sources,” was presented to a full room.

Ms. Mitchell educated the room on the most essential elements of a successful economic diversification strategy as well as WDC’s successes in implementing that plan. After the presentation, many representatives of various Tribes located throughout Indian Country approached her with specific questions, requesting advice related to their own efforts in economic diversification.

“The RES Conference is the single, largest annual gathering of Tribes dedicated to economic growth and collaboration,” Ms. Mitchell said. “To be asked to speak was an opportunity to share our experiences with other Tribes, set Waséyabek at the forefront of economic diversification, and promote the products and services of our recent acquisitions. The presentation was well received, and I look forward to cultivating new friendships and partnerships.”

Waséyabek Development Company, LLC (WDC) acquired Baker Engineering, Inc. (BEI), located in Nunica, MI.  BEI is an engineering, design, and manufacturing resource for industry and the U.S. Military.  Jack Jerovsek, responsible for growing BEI into the profitable company it is today, will continue to serve as President; leading the day-to-day operations.

As a full-service component part manufacturer, BEI specializes in prototyping and short-to-mid run part production, as well as testing of components and assemblies. For years, BEI has been a research and development (R&D) resource to the U.S. Military and the racing industry. With established expertise in designing, building, and testing new parts and technologies, BEI now takes that same level of precision and sophisticated manufacturing capabilities and provides it to other industries, nationwide.

“Baker Engineering has diverse R&D experience and an innovative approach to solving precision engineering challenges,” WDC President and CEO Deidra Mitchell said. “They employ hands-on engineers that give them the ability to control cost, schedule, and quality on each job, while remaining innovative, responsive, and flexible to customer’s needs.”

This is the fourth acquisition in the WDC portfolio, which now consists of two income properties and two operating companies – both of which operate in the commercial and federal market sectors.

The R&D division provides product design and engineering services for industry as well as the U.S. military. The military applications include unmanned military vehicles for land and ground, drone R&D, as well as automotive and marine engine development for several agencies. These agencies include: The Navy, United States Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), Air Force Research Laboratory, and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). BEI manages the development process from initial concept through detailed design, analysis, prototype manufacturing, and prototype assembly and testing. While much of the development work is focused on engine and propulsion system development, the company’s expertise extends from individual components to other complex moving assemblies and systems.

The precision manufacturing division offers high-precision manufacturing capabilities utilizing Computer Numerical Control machining, milling, turning and honing, as well as 5-axis machining, sheet metal fabrication and welding. In addition to the military and high-performance racing industries, BEI also provides manufactured parts to medical, equipment and furniture producers, among others. In November 2017, BEI received ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certifications. AS9100D is a set of standards for the aerospace industry.

“I see tremendous opportunity for new market development within Baker Engineering,” WDC Board Member Jim Dacey said. “While the company does not currently perform aerospace business, the AS9100D certification coupled with WDC’s Tribal ownership, provides future market expansion opportunities.”

The performance engine sector includes shop services and the Pro/Cam Racing Engine Components product line. Shop services include custom engine builds, upgrades, testing and tuning of high performance vehicles for street, off-road, marine use, drag racing and circle track racing. Upgrades are offered with engines, superchargers, turbochargers, nitrous systems, exhaust systems, transmissions, suspension, handling and cylinder heads. Dynamometers are located on-site to test and tune force and power performance.

“Baker Engineering serves both corporate customers and individuals that range from military suppliers and the U.S. Department of Defense to race teams and street car enthusiasts,” WDC Board Member John Holiday said. “This acquisition will provide a diverse source of jobs and career development opportunities for Tribal Members.”

WDC wishes to thank the WDC Board of Directors, Tribal Council and Tribal Membership for supporting economic development.

Please go to be www.bakerengineeringmfg.com for more information about Baker Engineering and its products and services.