News - Waséyabek Development Company

Waséyabek’s Portfolio Companies Target Bigger Share of Defense Industry Market at Annual Michigan Defense Expo

by Mason Nichols | April 22, 2024 | News

Providing Innovative Life–Cycle Solutions to Our Warfighters

Waséyabek Development Company, a leading economic development firm in Michigan’s Indian Country, will be out in force this week at the Michigan Defense Expo (MDEX) at Macomb Community College. During the event, the company will unveil Waséyabek Defense, a collection of Tribally owned small businesses providing deep expertise in new and innovative solutions for the military and other defense industry businesses. Four Waséyabek portfolio businesses, Baker Engineering, RSI Manufacturing, Safari Circuits, and recently acquired VES, make up Waséyabek Defense.

The annual expo known as MDEX is hosted by the Michigan Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) and is promoted as a premier Department of Defense (DoD) buy/supplier event. Waséyabek Defense’s engagement in this year’s event reflects its strategic commitment to increase new revenues for its Tribal owners.

“Our overarching mission is to identify and optimize new non-gaming revenue streams for the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi,” said Deidra Mitchell, President & CEO of Waséyabek. “Securing federal contracts with the Department of Defense and other suppliers in the defense industry is a key part of our business strategy.”

With strong operational bases in both Maryland and Michigan, VES is already a trusted provider of integrated software solutions for the DoD, and is aiming to broaden its market share.

“Now that Waséyabek is our majority owner, we’re looking to optimize new business opportunities in Michigan with other portfolio companies. MDEX provides us a great venue to do that.”

Matthew Vidovich

CEO, VES

Baker Engineering, based in Nunica, Michigan, also has experience serving customers in the defense industry, primarily providing power and propulsion engineering and prototyping solutions. The company has been focused on designing propulsion elements that are lighter in weight and deliver greater range for military operations.

RSI Manufacturing of Muskegon, Michigan, and Safari Circuits, based in Otsego, Michigan, will be showcasing their engineering and manufacturing services at MDEX for the first time.

“We’re thrilled to have Waséyabek Defense at MDEX 2024,” said Misty Martin, NDIA Board Member and Chair of MDEX. “This event is critical because it facilitates direct conversations between DoD and defense industry leaders and the designers and engineers behind the industry’s latest cutting-edge technologies.”

“We’ve spent the past couple of years building out our portfolio to target the defense industry and federal contracting space. We’re now ready to provide a full set of life-cycle solutions to warfighters, regardless of the scale of the project.”

Bethany Harris

President, Waséyabek Federal Group

MDEX takes place April 23-25 at the Macomb Community College Expo Center at 14500 E. Twelve Mile Road in Warren. Waséyabek Defense companies will be stationed in booths H3-H8.

Harvard University Extends Honor to Leader of Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi

by Mason Nichols | April 12, 2024 | News

Harvard’s Kennedy School also extends speaking invitation to Waséyabek Development Company leader

Jamie Stuck, Chairperson of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) Tribe, joined a list of historical leaders as he was welcomed as a visiting dignitary by Harvard University and invited to sign the University’s Guest Book. The book contains hand-written signatures and messages from numerous distinguished leaders of many different nationalities, backgrounds, and beliefs including South African President Nelson Mandela, German President Angela Merkel, and Congressman John Lewis.

“To walk in the footsteps of world leaders and add the name of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi to this book was a tremendous honor for me as I represented our Tribal ancestors, current elders, and our brothers, sisters, children, and grandchildren. We’re the sixth Indigenous Tribe to sign this book in the past year, reflecting a tidal shift in recognizing Native American sovereignty and equality at Harvard University and throughout the United States.”

Jamie Stuck

Tribal Council Chair, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi

Harvard University regularly invites distinguished leaders to visit the campus and speak to classes, advancing educational enrichment for its students and furthering the impact of its curriculum.

“This invitation represents yet another important recognition for Indigenous people in this country,” said NHBP Tribal Council Vice Chairperson, Dorie Rios. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to be included in this historical ledger and share our proud and prosperous story with faculty, students, and visitors at this long-standing academic institution.”

In addition to Chairperson Stuck’s and Vice-Chairperson Rios’ visit, the leader of the NHBP economic development company spoke to faculty and students at the Harvard Kennedy School. Waséyabek Development Company President and CEO, Deidra Mitchell, provided insights to the Nation Building II: Native Americans in the Twenty-First Century class, headed up by Eric Henson, Director of the Ittapila Program for Nation Building and Outreach at Harvard. It’s the second consecutive year that Mitchell has addressed students at the university.

“It was a terrific experience. The students and faculty were welcoming and engaged which made for a compelling discussion about the realities facing Indigenous populations as they work to preserve their sovereignty and way of life. Harvard is fortunate to have someone with Professor Henson’s insights leading this important topic.”

Deidra Mitchell

President & CEO, Waséyabek Development Company

Professor Henson is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and since 1998 has been working with the Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development (formerly known as the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development).

“The Waséyabek team has set the standard when it comes to incorporating the principals of the Harvard Project,” said Eric Henson. “The practices they employ in their strategic planning, work culture, and business development have taken root and resulted in tremendous growth and organizational success.”

Waséyabek is among the largest Native American non-gaming economic development companies in Michigan. Its portfolio now includes more than 30 business entities, including manufacturing, defense industry software integration, environmental solutions, real estate management, and transportation. Altogether, the portfolio companies employ more than 500 people, and are located throughout the contiguous United States.

Waséyabek Launches Tribal Economic Development Podcast

by Mason Nichols | February 27, 2024 | News

Over the course of its short history, Waséyabek has worked diligently to create a sustainable path forward for the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi through economic diversification, revenue generation, and job creation. This pathway to success contains many valuable lessons learned. Tribal Economic Development, a new podcast launched in early 2024, aims to share those lessons in an engaging and meaningful way.

The podcast, which is co-hosted by Waséyabek team members Deidra Mitchell, president and CEO, and Erika Weiss, assistant general counsel, will cover a wide range of topics, including strategic planning, what it takes to kick off an economic development journey, working with your state’s economic development corporation, and more. Many of the episodes, which publish bi-monthly, will also feature special guests who will contribute to the discussion on these topics.

A major goal for the podcast is to provide valuable insight to other Tribes and companies seeking similar success in Indian Country, all while continuing to establish Waséyabek and the NHBP Tribe as leaders in this space.

“I’m hoping that by sharing our story, we can impart some wisdom, give some fresh ideas, help people avoid roadblocks, and really give a flavor of what it means to do economic diversification. That is part of our mission, to help other Tribes develop and help them along their journey in economic diversification, if we can.”

Deidra Mitchell

President and CEO, Waséyabek

Tribal Economic Development is currently available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Each new episode can also be accessed at waseyabek.com/podcast. We encourage you to leave a review of Tribal Economic Development on the platform of your choice, and to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode throughout 2024.

Waséyabek Development Company Becomes Majority Owner of Innovative Software Systems Integration Firm Serving the Department of Defense

by Mason Nichols | December 1, 2023 | News

Waséyabek Development Company, LLC, a leading economic development firm in Michigan’s Indian Country, announced today it has become the majority owner of VES, LLC, a software development, integration, and solutions firm headquartered in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. Waséyabek is the non-gaming economic development company of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) Tribe based in southwest Michigan.

VES is composed entirely of engineers who are dedicated to solving the most challenging software integration problems faced by the Department of Defense (DoD). The company’s core competencies include developing custom infrastructure software, integrating embedded platform and command post systems, and prototyping emerging technologies for use in tactical edge architectures.

“Our growth strategy includes increasing our product and service offerings in the defense industry, and this acquisition is a significant investment in that market,” said Deidra Mitchell, Waséyabek President and CEO. “VES is a leading software solutions provider to the DoD, and we look to build on that vertical through innovation, collaboration and service.”

With this acquisition, Waséyabek’s portfolio of non-gaming investments increases to 31 entities, encompassing more than 500 employees. It also further diversifies the types of industries represented by businesses the NHBP Tribe owns. VES will become part of the Waséyabek Federal Group of companies.

“VES and Waséyabek have a shared vision of how to maximize our service to the DoD and at the same time expand our business into related industries in the future. We believe our company is at the right stage in its growth to partner with a company that can help us develop even greater business opportunities in the future while preserving the company’s current culture. Together, we will deliver high quality, innovative solutions to our customers.”

Matthew Vidovich

CEO, VES, LLC

Under the agreement, Waséyabek will now hold a majority ownership stake in VES. The software company will continue to be led by current CEO Matthew Vidovich and COO Bryan LeBaron. Each will retain a minority ownership share of VES.

“When we first discussed adding a software solutions company to our defense-contracting portfolio, we pointed to VES as an example of the type of company we should pursue,” said Bethany Harris, President of the Waséyabek Federal Group. “To acquire a majority interest in VES represents tremendous strategic progress for the Federal Group and will allow us to bring even greater economic sustainability to the NHBP Tribe.”

Waséyabek’s internal due diligence team handled the execution of the acquisition, a process led by Chief Operating Officer Rabih Jamal with support from long-term business partners BDO and Dickinson Wright. Springer Lawson & Associates (recently acquired by Schneider Downs & Co., Inc.) served as advisors to VES. Terms of the deal are not being disclosed.

Waséyabek Development Company Announces Two Appointments to its Federal Group Leadership Team

by Mason Nichols | October 20, 2023 | News

Bethany Harris

Mike Devlin

Waséyabek Development Company, a leading economic development firm in Michigan’s Indian Country, announced two leadership appointments today involving the company’s federal services division.

Bethany Harris, who has served as Executive Vice President of 8(a) Business since joining Waséyabek in 2019, has been promoted to President of the Federal Group. In this role, Harris will continue to lead strategic business initiatives for Waséyabek Federal Group (WFG), which now includes five individual companies along with multiple joint ventures. Prior to joining Waséyabek, Harris practiced law in Chicago and Michigan. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Michigan University and a J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law. She is a member of the National Defense Industrial Association and the Michigan Chapter of Women in Defense.

“I’m thrilled to continue leading Waséyabek’s business efforts in the federal contracting space,” said Harris. “Our strategy over the past four years has been to strengthen the Federal Group through partnering, organically growing projects, acquiring companies, and diversifying our product service offerings. We now provide premium support in several verticals, including operations and maintenance, propulsion systems, environmental remediation, professional services and software engineering. This strategic approach has put us on a path of business development and revenue growth.”

The company has also hired Mike Devlin to serve as Vice President of Strategy and Revenue. Devlin comes to Waséyabek from Ricardo Defense, a Troy, Michigan company, where he served as the Director of Business Development. In his new role, Devlin will be responsible for developing new business and establishing strategic relationships for WFG, as well as achieving operating and financial objectives.

“Over the past few years, Waséyabek has established itself as a premium product and service provider in the defense and federal-contracting industries,” said Devlin. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to join this team and help each company achieve even greater business success.”

The Federal Group includes Waséyabek Federal Services, Baker Engineering, Waséyabek Operations and Technical Support, Fed95 and recently acquired BLDI, an environmental consulting and remediation firm. Waséyabek also plans to close one additional Federal Group acquisition by the end of 2023. The companies are strategically aligned to provide services to federal agencies, defense contractors and the Department of Defense.

“Bethany and Mike will bring greater business insight and defense industry experience to our Federal Group, which will strengthen our ability secure new business opportunities in the federal contracting market,” said Deidra Mitchell, President and CEO of Waséyabek. “These appointments are consistent with our strategic goal of growing revenue for our Tribal Members and ensuring the sovereignty and sustainability of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribe through economic diversification.”

The appointments were effective October 2, 2023.

Bethany Harris Named 40 Under 40 Honoree by Crain’s Grand Rapids Business

by Mason Nichols | October 17, 2023 | News

Bethany Harris - 40 Under 40 - Crain's Grand Rapids Business

Crain’s Grand Rapids Business announced Bethany Harris as an honoree of its inaugural class of 40 Under 40 recipients. Harris, who serves as the Executive Vice President of 8(a) Business at Waséyabek Development Company, leads strategic business initiativies for Waséyabek Federal Group (WFG), which includes Waséyabek Federal Services, Baker Engineering, Waséyabek Operations and Technical Support, Fed95, and BLDI.

In the article Crain’s published regarding the honor, Harris describes working with a “once-in-a-lifetime” team at Waséyabek that is “aligned around the mission of diversifying the economy of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribe.”

“Our core group is geographically dispersed and supports government contracts across the country,” Harris said. “We’ve grown together to build our customer base, brand, and systems and processes — even during the pandemic. It’s incredibly rewarding to work with such a talented and dynamic team, all in support of creating a brighter future for the Tribe.”

Access the full story at Crain’s Grand Rapids by clicking the button below. Congratulations, Bethany!

Read the Full Story