Mno Bmadsen Annual Report 2014
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Transcript of Mno Bmadsen Annual Report 2014
The Good Path to Good Business
Annual Report 2014
Boozhoo, Fellow Citizens! 2014 was a busy year, and 2015 will continue
to be so. Our long-term development plan is a road map of many years
of economic development for our tribe. Yet our success depends on
how we work collaboratively as leaders and employees in economic
development. So I want to take this opportunity to highlight the
very positive aspirations of our Board of Directors, Tribal Council
and staff to support Mno-Bmadsen.
A key source of economic development is the very place we call home.
Our lands and our government and casino activities here in Southwest
Michigan and Northwest Indiana provide economic opportunities
for our tribe and our people. For instance, when we capture the
expenditures of our tribal government by performing design and
construction, among other potential services, we create jobs, and our
Message from the Chairwoman
“ A key source of economic development is
the very place we call home.”
government spending returns right back to our tribal economy. This
strategy simply is unattainable without the high level of collaboration
among Mno-Bmadsen and tribal government leaders.
During 2015 we will begin to lay the groundwork for the next phase
of Mno-Bmadsen’s growth. This will be a time of more profitable
opportunities. Such opportunities are often more complex and at a
higher investment level. They require the support of the Tribal Council.
Therefore, we have begun to work more closely with the council and
its Finance Board. Mno-Bmadsen attends regular Finance Board and
Tribal Council meetings whenever necessary to keep all informed of our
progress and opportunities. We always welcome their advice, insight
and wisdom, as we do yours. We’ve seen
positive outcomes because of Tribal Council’s
support. On behalf of the Mno-Bmadsen
board, I want to thank Tribal Council for its
support. It is greatly appreciated.
2014 seemed to fly by. As the year came
to a close we readied ourselves for 2015.
We look forward to sharing exciting news
as we initiate our action plan for 2015. Stay tuned as we continue
to walk the good path to good business together.
My door is always open. I hope that you call or email me with your ideas,
insights and support for our tribe’s business and economic initiatives.
Megwetch,
Linda Cook Chairwoman
Greetings! There is a song that proclaims “Don’t stop thinkin ‘bout
tomorrow!” that reflects a value central to our tribe -- do work today in a
manner that will positively impact our people seven generations into the
future. So it should be no surprise that it is this
attitude by which we created 7GenAE (Seven
Generations Architecture & Engineering), our
first business as Mno-Bmadsen.
It seems like only a few short years ago that
we completed our long-term development
plan, plotting the course for our future in
economic diversification. Now, in addition to
7GenAE, we have 7GenConstruction, Accu-Mold and the Bent Tree
Market. If all continues to go well we will have a substantial acquisition
in early 2015 to add to the Mno-Bmadsen Group of Companies.
But it is not what we do (as important as that is), it is why we do it:
You, our tribal citizens, our families, our children. What we do today
will have a major impact on our future generations. Our work now
will provide opportunities to improve our quality of life and serve
our tribal nation, keeping it strong and ever-growing as an economic
force for our people and our region.
So this year we are emphasizing greater performance, not only
financially, but by providing our people access to our growing tribal
economy. Toward the end of 2014, Mno-Bmadsen began working with
Tribal Council and the Tribal Department of Education to set a strategy
for training and apprenticeships so that our people can be equipped
President & CEO
to enter careers within our tribe’s economy. We dived aggressively into
banking relationships to establish our credit independent of our tribal
government and to use in buying and expanding our businesses. We
launched an aggressive federal government contracting strategy that,
as I write this letter, is developing a pipeline of business opportunities in
architectural design and construction. We opened 7GenConstruction
in South Bend, Indiana, our first tribally
owned business in that state. We completed
our Michigan Department of Transportation
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise certification
to obtain transportation engineering contracts
and hired a transportation expert to bid on and manage those contracts.
We started providing architecture services for the Huron Band of
Potawatomi. These are just some of the highlights of 2014.
Economic development is one of those general terms people like to
toss around in conversation. But for Mno-Bmadsen, it means the path
to good business. And good business is about taking advantage of
our tribe’s independence as a nation to create businesses that will
improve the life of our people today and for future generations. As
we launch into 2015, we will strive harder to perform and make proud
our citizens today and seven generations into the future. Don’t stop
thinkin ‘bout tomorrow!
Troy Clay Chief Executive Officer
“ It is not what we do, as important
as that is. It is why we do it: You,
our tribal citizens, our families,
our children.”
Highlights from the Past Year Plan for the Year to Come
7GenAE is moving closer to its goal of being a self-sustaining industry
leader in architecture and engineering. By leveraging our tribal
sovereignty, 7GenAE has secured critical certifications that let us
perform competitively, even though we are a small firm. In the last
year we have hired key staff to lead the company down this road of
growth. 7GenAE has more than 75 years of combined experience in
architecture, engineering and construction.
From conception to completion and beyond, we
collaborate with clients to execute efficiently
and responsibly. Our full-service planning and
design solutions encourage multidisciplinary
teams to imagine new ways of solving challenges for built environments.
Our architectural services include facility assessment, master planning,
interior design, sustainable design/LEED, renovations and new construction.
With a focus on civil engineering, our engineering team concentrates on
leveraging and managing natural resources to deliver sustainable site
solutions. Engineering solutions we provide include transportation planning,
traffic engineering, site development, utility Infrastructure, storm water
management and sanitary sewer.
7GenAE
• Completion of the Pokagon
Wellness Center
• Relocated to Kalamazoo, MI
• Awarded task order with Bureau
of Indian Affairs
• Awarded contract with the
Nottawaseppi Huron Band
of Potawatomi
• Pursue work with Pokagon and
other tribes
• Leverage 8(a) certification to win
Federal work
• Leverage DBE certification to win
work with the State of Michigan
• Apply for DBE certification
in Indiana
“ 7GenAE has more than 75
years of combined experience
in Architecture, Engineering
and Construction.”
In late 2014/early 2015, Mno-Bmadsen moved to enhance the marketability
of 7GenAE by adding construction services. Robert Farkas was hired as
the Director of Construction within the design firm. Mr. Farkas brought
with him nearly 30 years of experience in the construction industry and a
desire to start a self-performing construction company. In February, 7GEN
Construction, LLC was created as a tribally held business.
From a stand-alone office located in South Bend, Ind., and shared space with
7GenAE in Kalamazoo, the construction group will focus on design/build,
general construction and construction management projects ranging in size
from $50,000 to $5 million, with a primary focus in the mid-range. 7GEN
will work throughout Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, extending geographical
reach as client relationships demand. Long-term
planning includes a strategy in which design and
construction services are offered from East Coast
and Southeastern U.S. locations.
The company’s primary vertical markets will
include K-12 and higher education, Department of Defense and other
federal agencies, multi-unit housing, gaming, commercial/retail and tenant
improvement. We will focus sales and marketing in-house to gaming, DNR,
health and housing authorities within our tribe. We will identify and pursue
similar work within neighboring tribal nations and among key universities and
colleges in our three-state region.
As of this writing, 7GEN Construction has $1.1 million of work under contract,
with another $1 million in the sales pipeline. As the office location is established
and staff is added, proposal activity will increase dramatically in an effort to
meet defined revenue goals.
7GEN Construction LLC
Accu-Mold employs 18 people in mold making, engineering and administrative
areas. Changes in 2014 fostered a more collaborative, team-oriented work
environment and culture, leading to higher employee satisfaction, higher
product quality and lower hidden costs. As Accu-Mold reinforces its position in
the local community as a premier place to work, it will continue to attract the
area’s top talent.
Also in 2014, Accu-Mold leveraged a $500,000 matching grant from the
Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Tribal Business Development
Unit. Accu-Mold invested the $500,000, which
was matched by the MEDC, allowing for a total
capital equipment investment of $1 million. We
bought two machines and supporting equipment,
allowing Accu-Mold to increase throughput
using the same manufacturing space and the
same number of employees.
2014 was also a time of change in strategy for the company. Revenue
streams that did not align with the core competencies of machining, mold
building or molding were eliminated, allowing the organization to focus on
processes related to our business and on customers that were strategic
and loyal in nature.
Accu-Mold is constantly striving to stay ahead of the long-term trends in
all segments of the business, defining new ways to provide outstanding
products and service, reducing costs and creating a higher level of value
for our customers.
Accu-Mold
“ As Accu-Mold reinforces its
position in the local community
as a premier place to work,
it will continue to attract the
area’s top talent. ”
The Bent Tree Market, located south of the Four Winds Casino
Dowagiac, opened for business in December 2013. The business is
owned by Mno-Bmadsen, and the facility was designed by 7GenAE
(Seven Generations Architecture and Engineering), a wholly owned
subsidiary of Mno-Bmadsen.
In addition to providing casino customers a convenient location to refuel,
tribal members can use their discount on gas and tobacco products at
Bent Tree Market. Its central location also provides a convenient place
for fleet vehicles, such as those used by tribal police and maintenance
staff, to fill up. The money that is spent on gas for tribal vehicles will
remain within the tribe.
The food selection at Bent Tree Market is better than the average
snacks available at most convenience stores. Customers can enjoy pizza,
sandwiches, cookies and other food items prepared for the store by Four
Winds chefs.
The store is tightly integrated with the Four Winds computer system. The
store’s point-of-sale system is tied to the casino’s computer network, which
allows the businesses to share information easily.
Business has been very good during the last year. The feedback from
customers has been positive, and several people have commented
on Bent Tree Market being the most beautiful convenience store they
have ever seen.
Bent Tree Market
Mno-Bmadsen’s federal strategy began with Seven Generations Architecture
& Engineering, LLC (7GenAE). The company was established to support a
growing need for design services within the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi’s
geographic and economically controlled land development. But we quickly
recognized that 7GenAE could be a first step for Mno-Bmadsen into the
federal market.
In February 2014 7GenAE received 8(a), HUBZone and Small Disadvantaged
Business certifications from the Small Business Administration. In mid-2014
Mno-Bmadsen hired a Vice President of Business Strategy & Federal
Programs to help lead the effort to create a long-term strategic federal
plan for 7GenAE and Mno-Bmadsen’s current and future entities.
Balancing the short-term need for revenue generation and the broader
vision of creating a family of companies to meet future objectives, the
team at Mno-Bmadsen and 7GenAE have worked diligently to position
the company to begin working for federal agencies and with other prime
federal contractors -- as well as to meet the stringent requirements of
federal contracting.
With the successful award of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Great Plains
Region Architecture & Engineering IDIQ contract, 7GenAE officially
entered the federal marketplace. Serving as a sub-consultant on
projects at Naval Station Great Lakes and Veterans Affairs has furthered
7GenAE’s efforts as well.
In late 2014 Mno-Bmadsen recognized the need to offer services to
complement design and that would better allow the organization to
compete in the federal arena. Critical to the decision to further invest in
government contracting was the need to meet Mno-Bmadsen’s other
Mno-Bmadsen Federal Strategy
We are dedicated to designing and building
quality of life for the next seven generations
to come.
key goals, such as capturing the tribal spend, offering opportunities
for employment to tribal citizens, and leveraging our sovereignty for
economic advancement. As a result, Mno-Bmadsen and the federal
strategic plan took initial steps to start Seven Generations Construction, LLC
(7GenConstruction) and will continue a path of success with the integration
of future acquisitions and the positioning of all of its companies in the
federal marketplace.
With an immediate focus on developing a family of Seven Generations
(7Gen) companies to provide building solutions, we now offer a full range
of architecture, engineering, construction and facilities program support
services to tribal organizations, federal, state and local government agencies,
and commercial entities. In the near future we look to expand our services
to include mechanical contracting, facilities management and environmental
engineering. Regardless of industry, the Mno-Bmadsen family of companies
can attain a variety of certifications, including:
• SBA 8(a) Status
• Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone)
• Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.219-9
• Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.226-7001
Learn more about these exciting certifications on our website at
www.mno-bmadsen.com
P: (269) 783-4111
W: www.mno-bmadsen.com
A: 415 E. Prairie Ronde St. Dowagiac, Michigan 49047
Journey With Us
Mno-Bmadsen is about economic independence and
self-reliance -- about bringing unique and long-lasting
opportunities to our community. If you or someone
you know is interested in exploring a growing list of
education, internship or career opportunities, please
reach out to us.
We look forward to hearing from you!