My job is to bring as much capital as possible to American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities. These investments help change agents build new health care, education, infrastructure, housing and other developments in their communities. If you want to know specifically how Travois can help you structure your investments, attract capital, design buildings and manage your developments, call or email me any time.
We see value where other people don’t. We identify leaders in local communities who have a vision. We support those leaders as they build consensus around that vision. Once the community gets behind the idea, we provide the capital and technical assistance required to make it a reality. Then we bring in outside investors and show them what you and I already know — that when Indian Country communities come together, there is nothing they can’t accomplish.
After the deal has closed, the doors are open, and the celebration has quieted down, we remain right next to those local leaders. We continue on the journey helping that specific development to succeed while keeping an eye on the horizon for what comes next.
Every day in this job, I find myself relying on the great education I was so blessed to receive. I use my bachelor’s degree in English from Wake Forest University as I write for the Travois blog. I use my master’s degree in public administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City as I work with various levels of tribal and federal government to move projects forward. I use my executive certificate in negotiation from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government every day as I try to get Elizabeth’s and my three kids fed, brushed, dressed, combed and off to school on time.
Then I settle into my desk here at Travois and do what I love to do: listen to Indian Country’s most dynamic community economic development professionals talk about their vision for the future. Then we work together to make it a reality.
At NAFOA’s recent conference in Boston, I stopped by the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development table. I spoke to two representatives of the Division of Energy and Mineral Development.
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Two weeks ago, Michael Bland, Brett Schwarz and I spent a few days with old friends and new contacts at the NAFOA’s Fall Finance & Tribal Economies Conference.
I had an especially good time speaking on a panel with our advisory board member Little Fawn Boland.
Travois’ job is to connect private investors with change agents throughout Indian Country. We provide the advice and capital that helps successful businesses, projects and programs grow. This gives us a glimpse into numerous aspects of life in Indian Country.
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Our relationships form the foundation of every LIHTC home you build, of every economic development project we finance together. Getting to know you — on-site, at our annual conference — is our favorite part of the job.
We know each other pretty well.
Going to the doctor’s office doesn’t sound like very much fun, does it? What does sound like fun? A car seat poncho making class? Yes. A basketball clinic? Definitely. Where is all of this fun stuff taking place? The Bad River Health and Wellness Center.
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If you follow our Instagram feed, you know we get to travel to America’s most beautiful destinations. My colleagues can tell some great stories about hikes, rides and other ways they have explored with our clients.
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Travois is proud to be a board member of the New Markets Tax Credit Coalition. Congratulations to our fellow board members — and a big shout out to our partners Rapoza & Associates — on the completion of our most recent progress report.
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Tax credit projects take a lot of hard work and a lot of time. When one of our hard-working clients is honored for their hard work, commitment to excellence, and dedication to success, we can’t congratulate them enough.
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Travois has a culture of impact measurement and monitoring. Unlike a lot of other investment firms, we measure the return on investment we deliver to our partners in more than one way.
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Many communities in the United States are undergoing an uptick in the construction of new housing. Despite national policy efforts and individual innovations, health care costs also continue to rise.
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