News - Waséyabek Development Company

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.

WDC Economic Development Showcase and Job Fair

Safari Circuits Welcomes Craig Nelson to Leadership Team

by jgunn | July 17, 2023 | News

Safari Circuits, an innovative leader in electronics manufacturing, engineering services, and supply chain management, announced today the hiring of Craig Nelson as company president.

Nelson will join long-time Safari executive Mike Kintz in leading the firm. Kintz has served the dual role of president and CEO of Safari for more than 18 months, following the purchase of the firm by Waséyabek Development Company (WDC), the non-gaming economic development entity of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribe. Under the new leadership structure, Kintz will remain as CEO and will oversee all strategic and operational decisions for the company. Nelson will take over the day-to-day operations, focusing on product development, logistics, customer relations, business development, personnel, and all other management duties.

Prior to joining Safari Circuits, Nelson had a successful 22-year career with Stryker Corporation where he held a variety of leadership roles in operations and supply chain, including Vice President of Operations Innovation and Vice President of Global Sourcing for the last nine years.

“We are very fortunate to have Craig join the Safari leadership team,” said Mike Kintz. “He has been a key business partner for us in his role at Stryker, and he possesses a tremendous understanding of our business and how we operate. We’re excited to bring him on as president as we look to grow our business in several key markets.”

Nelson received his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from Western Michigan University and has completed the Harvard Business School Executive Education program. He is a board member of the Performance Review Institute, a global authority focused on industry-managed programs for a variety of industries including defense, aviation, space, transportation, energy, manufacturing, construction, and medical devices.

“Safari Circuits is one of those rare companies where the innovative talents of the staff mesh perfectly with the leadership vision to deliver a high level of product quality and customer satisfaction,” said Nelson. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to join this firm at this point in my life, and I look forward to working with the staff and our customers to build on Safari’s legacy of excellence.”

Safari Circuits was founded in 1985 and serves clients in the medical, instrumentation, industrial, automotive, and military sectors. It employs more than 150 people. Waséyabek Development Company purchased the company in January 2021. WDC was formed by the NHBP Tribe with the purpose of diversifying its economic portfolio and supporting the long-term sustainability of the Tribe.

Bethany Harris Serves on Small Business Panel at the 2023 Women in Defense Small Business Summit

by jgunn | March 21, 2023 | News

Bethany Harris, Waséyabek’s Executive Vice President of 8(a) Business, was invited to serve as a panelist at the 2023 Women in Defense – Michigan Chapter – Small business Summit. This is the Michigan’s Chapter second annual Summit, which will be held on March 21, 2023, at the GEM Theater in Detroit. Attendees will connect with Department of Defense leaders, cultivate relationships with primes, learn about opportunities for small business engagement, and discover how to stand out from competitors.

William Brooks named 2023 Notable West Michigan Lawyer by Crain’s/Grand Rapids Business Journal

by jgunn | March 20, 2023 | News

Grand Rapids Business Journal’s Notable West Michigan Lawyers recognizes members of the legal profession who are making their mark in the community in a variety of ways. All are attorneys, but each is contributing to West Michigan’s growth by using their legal expertise in areas beyond the office and courtroom. This year’s Notables “class” includes pro-bono champions, Tribal law experts, in-house legal counsel, trailblazers, and those who are comfortable on the national and international stages.

William “Bill” Brooks is a trusted advisor for Waséyabek Development Company (WDC) and FireKeepers Casino Hotel (FKCH), wholly-owned entities of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Indians (NHBP), and remains Special Counsel to NHBP after serving as its Chief Legal Officer. Mr. Brooks is recognized as a leader in Indian Country. During his 30+ year legal career, he has advised multiple Native American Tribes, and has played a key role in developing the legal framework for Tribal gaming, government structures, and economic diversification initiatives undertaken by his Tribal clients. What sets Mr. Brooks apart from other legal professionals is his knowledge of a wide range of subject matters under state/federal law as well as the nuances associated with federal Indian law, Native American legal systems, and Tribal governments.

In 2017, Mr. Brooks was awarded the Tecumseh Peacekeeping Award by State Bar of Michigan in recognition of his contributions to the advancement of the interests of Tribes and law in the State. In addition to his work with WDC & FKCH, he’s served as adjunct faculty at MSU School of Law, as Chair of the State Bar’s Standing Committee on Indian Law, and on the State Bar’s Indian Law Section.

NHBP Tribal Council Chair, Jamie Stuck, says “Bill Brooks is a trusted advisor, friend, and mentor; conducting himself with the highest level of professionalism and according to the Seven Grandfather Teachings.” Jamie added, “Bill has played a key role in rebuilding the NHBP Nation. He truly cares for our people and the future of our Tribe.”

West Michigan Tribal Economic Leader to Speak at Harvard University on Native American Business Operations

by jgunn | March 16, 2023 | News

Waséyabek Development Company (WDC) announced today that president and CEO Deidra Mitchell will appear as a guest lecturer at the prestigious Harvard-Kennedy School on March 24th.

Ms. Mitchell has served as WDC’s top executive since 2016. Under her leadership, WDC has implemented business practices consistent with the Harvard Project of American Indian Economic Development (“Harvard Project”). The model is considered one of the most successful approaches to economic development for Tribes, with the tenets of Sovereignty Matters, Culture Matters, Leadership Matters, and Institutions Matter, with an emphasis on separating Tribal politics from business decisions and day-to-day management.

“I’m honored to accept the invitation to speak to students at Harvard University about current trends and Waséyabek’s success in the Native American economic sector,” said Deidra Mitchell. “For us, the practices recommended by the Harvard Project are very consistent with the Tribal teachings of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians. Consequently, WDC is benefiting from the principles encouraged by both organizations.”

Ms. Mitchell will deliver her comments to students enrolled in Harvard’s Native Americans in the 21st Century – Nation Building II course. The class is led by Eric Henson, who is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and has been a research fellow/affiliate with the Harvard Project since 1998. Ms. Mitchell will focus her comments on the best practices employed by WDC, which have set the foundation for the company to grow from $0 revenue in 2017 to $75 million at the close of 2022.

“Waséyabek Development Company has embraced the practices outlined by the Harvard Project, implemented them within their organization and created a culture of positivity and growth,” said Mr. Henson. “Harvard students are fortunate to be able to hear about the real-world practical application of the Project’s principles from Ms. Mitchell.”

More than 30 undergraduate and graduate level students are expected to be present for the lecture.

“This invitation is a tremendous honor for Deidra and reflects the positive and productive impact she and the WDC team have had regarding our Tribe’s economic interests,” said Jamie Stuck, NHBP Tribal Council Chair. “When you consider that there are 574 federally-recognized Tribes in the United States and Harvard has chosen a representative from our Tribe’s economic team to present information to their students, well it really speaks to the value that Deidra and her team are bringing to the NHBP Tribal Members and to Indian Country, at large.”

WDC is one of the largest Native American economic development companies in Michigan. Its economic portfolio now includes 29 business entities, employing more than 400 people throughout its portfolio, and has investment interests in companies from coast-to-coast.