News - Waséyabek

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 initiatives 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

Waséyabek Development Company Becomes Majority Owner of West Michigan Environmental Engineering and Consulting Firm

by Mason Nichols | September 18, 2023 | News

Waséyabek Development Company Becomes Majority Owner of BLDI

Waséyabek Development Company, LLC (WDC), a leading economic development firm in Michigan’s Indian Country, announced today it has become the majority owner of BLDI, LLC, an innovative environmental engineering, consulting and remediation firm headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. WDC is the non-gaming economic development company of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) Tribe based in southwest Michigan.

BLDI’s staff of engineers, geologists, scientists and business professionals is focused on providing high-quality, cost-effective environmental services throughout the Midwest. The company’s services include environmental due diligence and risk assessment; Phase 1 & Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessments; PFAS testing and remediation; underground storage tank assessment, removal and corrective actions; asbestos surveys; brownfield assessment grants, cleanup, remediation and closure; soil sampling; vapor intrusion and indoor air quality surveys, and wetlands assessment.

“Adding BLDI to the WDC family of companies creates a tremendous business growth opportunity for both entities and is in line with our overall strategic plan,” said Deidra Mitchell, WDC president and CEO. “BLDI delivers services, including PFAS assessment and remediation, that are in great demand and are largely impervious to economic slowdowns or recession. We’re thrilled to add this firm to the Tribe’s non-gaming economic development portfolio.”

BLDI was founded in 1991 and employs 25 people. It has offices in Grand Rapids and greater Detroit. The company serves clients throughout the U.S., but the bulk of their customers are in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Two of the current owners, Rich Spehar and Leslie DeBoer, will continue to have a minority ownership stake in the firm. DeBoer, who has served as company president since February 2023, will remain in that position.

“Having WDC as a new majority owner is a tremendously positive development and comes at a time of great opportunity for our company. As a West Michigan-based environmental firm, we’re interested in growing our company with a new majority owner that wants to invest in our operations while staying here in the Grand Rapids region. We feel WDC’s corporate culture and long-term business strategy are a perfect fit for us, and their minority status in the federal contracting space will open new business opportunities that will fuel our growth.”

Leslie DeBoer

President, BLDI

With this acquisition, WDC’s portfolio of non-gaming investments increases to 30 entities, encompassing more than 450 employees. It also further diversifies the types of industries represented by companies the NHBP Tribe owns. BLDI will become part of the environmental services division in the Waséyabek Federal Group of companies.

“The addition of BLDI to our portfolio will strengthen our environmental service group and bring their experienced subject matter experts to our current customers and prospective clients in the federal contracting space,” said Bethany Harris, executive vice president of 8(a) business at Waséyabek. “BLDI will continue to deliver great service to its existing customers while expanding into new markets. Furthermore, having their staff and field engineers located near our headquarters will make this ownership transition a seamless process for all.”

WDC’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. Terms of the deal are not being disclosed.

“While the merger and acquisition landscape has been unusually sluggish this year, our experienced acquisition team has continued to seek strategic opportunities that bring greater economic sustainability to the NHBP Tribe,” said Mitchell. “BLDI is perfectly aligned with our culture and environmental goals, and we’re excited to see how we can grow together in the future.”

Billboard Brings Awareness to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Men, and Children

by Mason Nichols | August 30, 2023 | News

Billboard Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Men, and Children

On the southwest side of Battle Creek, Michigan, motorists can view a billboard designed by Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribal Member Kevin Harris II. Harris II, who is a cultural specialist with NHBP and the owner of Culture Dept. LLC, created the billboard to bring increased awareness to the national epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous women, men, and children. According to Harris, the red hand represents the movement to stop indigenous women from going missing in the future. The woman depicted in the design represents the Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Odawa people collectively known as the Anishinabek.

Waséyabek Development Company Holds Economic Development Showcase and Job Fair at the 2023 Gathering of Potawatomi Nations

by Mason Nichols | August 8, 2023 | News

More than 100 attendees gathered at FireKeepers Casino Hotel in Battle Creek, Michigan, to learn about the economic advancements of Potawatomi Nation-owned businesses as part of the first-ever Economic Development Showcase and Job Fair. The event, which was hosted by Waséyabek Development Company, LLC (WDC), took place on Friday, July 28, during the 2023 Gathering of Potawatomi Nations hosted by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP).

During the event, attendees spoke with 20 companies to learn about the steps their businesses are taking to enhance a variety of industries, including property management, engineering, transportation, manufacturing, insurance, federal contracting, and beyond. Those in attendance also had the opportunity to learn about the jobs and career pathways available at the companies represented. Jessi Goldner, NHBP Tribal Member and WDC’s Director of Strategic Engagement and Compliance, spearheaded the planning and execution of the event.

“At Waséyabek, we are always looking for ways to promote the hard work of the companies that serve as the economic engine driving the NHBP Tribe forward,” said Deidra Mitchell, President and CEO at WDC. “The Showcase and Job Fair offered an ideal platform to extend an opportunity for NHBP – along with other Potawatomi Nations – to spotlight the incredible work that we are all doing to create a brighter tomorrow for those in Indian Country.”

Exhibitors referenced the ability to provide a snapshot of their businesses to attendees as a key draw to participating in the Showcase and Job Fair, including Kip Ritchie, interim CEO of the Potawatomi Business Development Corporation.

“Not only did this event provide a way for the respective Tribes to showcase their successful businesses, but it also offered a chance for the various leaders to explore opportunities to work together,” he said.

In addition to learning about the companies present, attendees also benefitted from networking with others, something that spilled over into the Potawatomi Economic Summit that took place immediately following the close of the Showcase and Job Fair.

During the Summit, approximately 60 attendees representing 10 Potawatomi Tribes provided updates on economic advancements within their communities. The goal of the Summit was for the Tribes present to learn from each other’s work and to provide a space for future collaboration.

“Having the Tribes together to discuss the work they are performing plays a critical role in how we learn from one another and grow,” Mitchell said. “These continued conversations are vital in building awareness around how we can all advance together.”

The hope is for the Showcase and Job Fair to become part of the Gathering of the Potawatomi Nations each year moving forward, with this year’s event serving as a blueprint for other host Tribes.