Potawatomi Business Development Corp.: Milwaukee construction veteran tapped to lead new Potawatomi-owned construction management firm

Milwaukee, WI – The Potawatomi Business Development Corporation (PBDC)—the economic diversification arm of the Forest County Potawatomi—announced today it has tapped Robert E. Schmitt, former president of Grunau Project Development, to lead its new construction management firm Greenfire Management Services, LLC (GMS).

“With Bob and his team, GMS has the experience and personnel to help ensure clients receive the highest quality construction on time and within budget,” said Pepi Randolph, CEO of the Potawatomi Business Development Corporation. “PBDC is responding to a need in the marketplace for Native American, owned and operated construction management firms. As we continue to diversify the tribes’ portfolio beyond gaming, we’re excited to be in a position to help create jobs and build Milwaukee.”

Greenfire Management Services will fill a void in the current Milwaukee marketplace. As a tribally-owned minority firm with a seasoned management team and strong bonding capacity, GMS will be attractive to clients needing minority contractor participation as well as federal, state and local government agencies.

“Successful building projects are contingent on outstanding management capabilities and a mindset that unites all team members behind one main purpose – a superior experience,” explained Robert Schmitt, President, Greenfire Management Services, LLC. “And, in a recovering economy, the importance of pre-construction planning will be even more critical. Our senior executives will be involved in all projects from day one and stay involved until the final closeout.”

Schmitt has nearly 40 years of experience in all phases of the construction process. He worked closely with the tribe during the construction of the initial $120 million Potawatomi Bingo & Casino, and has been working with PBDC as a consultant on their Concordia Trust Property.

As a minority firm, GMS’s ability to handle large projects with its experienced management team and financial stability will make it unique in the Milwaukee market. Further, the firm will sub-contract all construction work creating meaningful opportunities for minority employees, subcontractors and suppliers.

The firm will serve private owners and developers, public entities, tribes and tribal entities and large construction firms seeking to partner with an established, bondable minority firm. Ideal projects are those that are large, complex and environmentally-focused. GMS will incorporate sustainable practices into all of its functions and services.

The firm is currently providing property management services to the Forest County Potawatomi for the Concordia Trust Property and expects to soon announce several new construction management clients.

GMS’s management team has deep roots in the Milwaukee construction marketplace having developed strong relationships with architects, owners, and developers over the past 40 years. These relationships will prove invaluable in acquiring new construction contracts.

ABOUT GREENFIRE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC: Greenfire Management Services, LLC (“Greenfire”) is a construction management, property management and Owner’s representative firm located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Greenfire is a wholly owned company of the Potawatomi Business Development Corporation (“PBDC”) and is currently in the process of obtaining Federal, State, and Local certifications as a Native American owned company. For more information, visit http://www.greenfirellc.net.

ABOUT THE POTAWATOMI BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION: The Potawatomi Business Development Corporation is owned and operated by the Forest County Potawatomi Community of Wisconsin. The Corporation seeks to diversify Potawatomi business interests beyond gaming in effort to secure the future of the Potawatomi tribe for the next 7 generations and beyond. In addition to Greenfire Management Services, business holdings include: OneProspect Technologies, Advancia Corporation, Advancia Aeronautics, Potawatomi Training, Potawatomi Test & Evaluation and Securio Group. For more information on the Potawatomi Business Development Corporation, call Kip Ritchie at 414-727-2041 ext. 6007 or visit our website at http://www.potawatomibdc.com.

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Media Contacts:

Robert Schmitt, President

Greenfire Management Services

Phone: 414-727-6110

rschmitt@greenfirellc.net

http://www.greenfirellc.net

Kip Ritchie, COO

Potawatomi Business Development Corporation

Phone: 414-727-2041 ext. 6010

kritchie@potawatomibdc.com

http://www.potawatomibdc.com