Reflecting on the past and looking forward: Q&A with Travois’ chairman

It’s hard to believe it’s already March 1. Where did the time go? Before 2013 gets away from us, we asked Travois Chairman David Bland to reflect back on some of the successes and challenges the company faced in 2012 and what’s in store for Travois in 2013.

Q: For a quick moment, let’s look back. What was Travois’ greatest accomplishment in 2012?

A: We deployed a $70 million New Markets Tax Credit allocation into some of the most worthy projects in all of Indian Country, including a dental clinic, an education center and a large Internet broadband project, in an economy that was uncertain at best.

Q: On the flip side, what was the company’s greatest challenge, and how did you overcome it?

A: Our greatest challenge was training and integrating a fully staffed asset management team. We found highly motivated and experienced people and gave them challenging work along with great training and support, and now we are operating at 100 percent.

Q: OK, now on to the present and the future. What are you most looking forward to this year?

A: We hope to expand our relationship with the investors for our housing and New Markets projects and offer them even more secure and high yielding projects. We also look forward to bringing the American Indian Eco-Fund into the marketplace and offering financing for carbon-reducing economic development and housing projects this year and in the years to come.

Q: If you could accomplish just one thing this year, what would it be?

A: All of our staff feel fully supported and engaged, all of our tribal customers are highly satisfied with their projects, and our investors are excited about what we do and want to invest even more this year and in the years to come.

Q: What projects right now excite you the most?

A: We have a very ambitious project with the San Carlos Housing Authority that includes a large number of units to be rehabilitated and a new housing authority office. Also, we have several very exciting economic development projects in the wings, including a for-sale housing project and a biodigester project, which will be extremely innovative and technologically groundbreaking.

Q: How might we see the company change and grow in 2013?

A: I think you will see us be even more technologically enhanced, especially on the asset management side of the business. We are also very excited about moving into energy auditing and being able to provide very attractive financing terms for tribes that want to increase their energy efficiency.

Q: What do you expect to be one of your biggest challenges in 2013? What’s your plan for overcoming it?

A: The biggest challenge is the economy and how we continue to offer investors the kinds of projects that they will want to invest in, in the face of increasing alternative investments.

Q: Outside of business, how will Travois be helping or supporting the Native American community this year? The Kansas City community where you’re headquartered?

A: We will continue to support the National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC) and the American Indian College Fund as our two primary charitable focus. In Kansas City we will continue to support the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, especially the Native American art collection and exhibits. We hope to reach out to specific tribal colleges as well. In the next several months, our staff volunteer committee is organizing a few different volunteer events to help local organizations, including soup kitchens, animal shelters and environmental cleaning crews.