Embracing the Change
As we celebrate the summer solstice and the longest days of the year, it marks my 10th year working within the Mno-Bmadsen family of companies. As I think back on the journey, I can’t help but notice the change that has taken place. One of the big reasons my family came to southwest Michigan was the opportunity that it afforded our children, and this summer also marks a significant milestone in that regard. Earlier this month, our youngest child graduated from high school, a rite of passage that marks an end and a beginning. Seeing your child at the beginning of their own journey is an incredible feeling. You are filled with emotions that are powerful and conflicting. While I am bursting with pride and looking forward to a new phase as empty-nesters, I am also sad knowing that our baby simply isn’t a baby anymore. Change is bittersweet – hard and necessary – and the thing that helps us grow.
We have also undergone significant change at Bodwé over the last couple of years. Change that is necessary for our growth as an organization but nonetheless, hard. It has forced us to challenge how we operate and what our long-term goals are. The most significant change we have had this year has been in our Federal Support Services Branch. We brought on Brett Hysinger on February 1, and he hit the ground running. Under his leadership, FSS has begun arranging its capabilities under three lines of business: Global Support Services; Information Technology and Innovation; and Professional Support Services – see image below.
The potential for growth in the FSS branch is greater than anything we have experienced before – causing many to feel excited and apprehensive. In these situations, I rely on knowing that two things can be true at the same time. Change can feel exciting and scary; bitter and sweet; hard and rewarding. As long as we are making these changes in alignment with our mission to grow the economy and legacy of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, I am comfortable being uncomfortable in times of change.
Three Bodwé Companies Achieve 8(a) Certifications
A recent achievement we are thrilled to highlight is the announcement that The Steelhead Engineering Company, Bodwé Technology Solutions, and Bodwé Federal Services achieved 8(a) certifications from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). These certifications will enhance our ability to serve federal clients and expand capabilities across various markets.
The SBA’s 8(a) Business Development (BD) Program is a nine-year program created to help socially and economically disadvantaged organizations gain access to— and succeed in— the federal marketplace. Seven Generations Architecture + Engineering (7GAE) was the first tribal 8(a) firm in Michigan and graduated in February of this year from the program. 7GAE achieved considerable success in the federal market since its inception and now this status is extended to three more Bodwé companies affording them preference for federal projects.
When discussing this achievement, Jeremy Berg explains that "receiving these new 8(a) certifications marks a significant milestone in our journey. Our success is rooted in the foundation laid by our valued employees; first through Seven Generations Architecture + Engineering, and now continued with our expansion into additional service offerings. This is a testament to our commitment to deliver high-quality, reliable services to our clients. These new certifications will enable us to leverage the unique advantages of being a tribally owned 8(a) and drive the Bodwé mission of long-term scalable growth."
The 8(a) program's benefits, such as sole source awards up to $100M without Justification and Authorization and pre-award discussions and negotiations, will significantly enhance opportunities for Bodwé and its companies. Read the press release on our website.
Tulsa Day Center – Pet Shelter Groundbreaking
Blue Star Integrative Studio was honored to celebrate the groundbreaking of one of the firm’s first community-impact projects in Tulsa as the Tulsa Day Center celebrated the beginning of construction on their new pet shelter.
Jeremy Berg says he believes this project not only aligns with our mission, but also gives our team and our company owners at the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi something tangible to reflect our commitment to growing the legacy of the Band and to being good neighbors.
"If we're creating a place where people want to work, I think doing projects around your neighborhood is important,” said Berg. “The pet shelter reminds me of our Seven Grandfather Teachings, and the whole idea behind a project for people to feel safe and get help is directly connected to our core values.”
Three Bodwé companies were involved in the project with Blue Star leading the design team, WBK Engineering providing civil engineering services, and The Steelhead Engineering Company supporting mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design. The groundbreaking on TDC’s pet shelter addition is another successful milestone in our efforts to give back to the communities in which we live and work.
Read the official press release covering the TDC groundbreaking on our website.
Bestselling Author Highlights Rapid City Mitigation Project
Jason Steinhauser, bestselling author, expert speaker for US Department of State, and recent keynote speaker at South Dakota Historical Society’s 2024 History Conference, held in Pierre, SD, shared his experience attending this conference as well as his perspectives on "Section 106 Mitigation Activities: Preserving Memory While Moving Forward at the Oyate Health Center" in his article “South Dakota on my mind.”
The presentation about the mitigation project was given by Bodwé's own Alex Hokkanen, who presented alongside Ben Ross, a historic preservation specialist and architectural historian at RATIO Architects. This presentation told the stories of the archaeological and historical investigations completed on the original site of the now-open Oyate Health Center. The mitigation work to investigate the site and its troubled history, which previously housed a century-old former boarding school and tuberculosis sanitorium, was not only necessary as a part of the design and construction of the new facility but has been incredibly informative and created an opportunity to us to help shed light on the complex history of Oyate through this and other future presentations.
We are deeply proud of the work that was completed as a part of this very complex and important project and are excited to see that audiences are receptive to this presentation sharing the findings of the mitigation investigation activities, as we continue our efforts to be good stewards of the stories and historical perspectives of many brave Tribal community members. Not only does the new health center now serve all Tribal communities in the region, but the work done as part of this project is helping to create new relationships between Native people and this emotionally charged area of land.
Enculturation Sessions
This year, leadership from Mno-Bmadsen visited several of the Bodwé offices, where they shared an Enculturation Presentation with our employees, providing insights and historical knowledge about our tribal ownership at the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. Presentations were created by Micky Martin, Mno Vice President of Communications and presented alongside Mno CEO, Julio Martinez.
These sessions were incredibly informative and very well-received as our employees learned not only about the Band and its history leading to the present day, but also how the companies and investments that comprise Mno all work to support the Band and its future generations. We are excited to now film this presentation to share with new hires in the future as we continue to grow both at Bodwé and across Mno.
Special thanks to Marcus Winchester from Center of History and Culture for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi for being a guest speaker during the southwest Michigan session.
Congratulations, John Witte!
We are incredibly honored to share that after over two decades of dedicating his time, skills, and knowledge to the team at WBK Engineering and more recently the Bodwé Infrastructure Branch, John Witte is entering the next phase of life as he begins retirement!
Often known by simply his last name, Witte joined the team in St. Charles in the early days of WBK, when the office was no more than 10 people. He not only witnessed WBK’s growth; he played an active role in developing the team and establishing a collaborative work environment people wanted to stay in. Some of his most memorable times working at WBK were when the team would get together for community service projects, such as volunteering at the food bank or doing the Earth Day cleanup.
We are grateful for all of Witte’s contributions over the years as well as his leadership and mentorship of engineering professionals during all stages of their careers.
