Waséyabek Development Co., a tribally owned holding company that manages the Nottawaseppi Huron band of the Potawatomi’s non-gaming economic development activity based in Grand Rapids, has become the majority owner of VES, a software development, integration, and solutions firm headquartered in Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.
Terms of the deal are not being disclosed.
VES is composed of engineers who are seeking to solve challenging software integration problems faced by the Department of Defense. 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,” says Deidra Mitchell, president and CEO of Waséyabek. “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,” says Matthew Vidovich, CEO of VES. “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.”
Under the agreement, Waséyabek will now hold a majority ownership stake in VES. The software company will continue to be led by Vidovich and COO Bryan LeBaron. Each will retain a minority ownership share of VES.
