Potawatomi Ventures Hires Michael Barrett as Chief Information Officer
Potawatomi Ventures announced today that Michael Barrett was named the company’s new chief information officer. With more than 20 years of progressive experience in enabling business strategy through technology, Barrett joins the company’s executive team, and is responsible for providing overall leadership, strategy and direction for company-wide IT customer support and technology infrastructure to meet the needs of Potawatomi Venture’s IT operations and its subsidiaries.
Prior to joining Potawatomi Ventures, Barrett was chief technology officer for River Run Managed Services, where he brought strategic information technology to an established leader in the industry. He also held various technology leadership roles at Northwestern Mutual, and most recently served as senior director of digital products for the company.
In his new role, Barrett is accountable for technology infrastructure, information security, and overall technology support for enterprise resource planning and network operations. He identifies, evaluates, and reports on information technology trends, needs, and risks.
“I am passionate about creating business and digital partnerships designed to enhance profitability and achieve bottom-line growth and look forward to doing incredible things for Potawatomi Ventures and its subsidiary companies,” said Barrett. “I’m thrilled to join this talented team of high-performing professionals.”
“We are very excited to have Michael join our executive team as chief information officer,” said Kip Ritchie, chief executive officer of Potawatomi Ventures. “He has a depth of experience in consulting, technology and working for companies with strong connections to the community in multiple industries and we know he’ll leverage that experience as a strategist with an executive mindset.”
Barrett earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and public policy analysis from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater and holds an executive master of business administration from Marquette University in Milwaukee.
A dedicated community servant, he’s been the technology committee chair and a member of the Cedarburg Education Foundation Board since 2020. He is also a firefighter and emergency medical technician for the Village of Grafton Fire Department and is the Ozaukee County Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) Division President.
Potawatomi Ventures was established in 2002 as Potawatomi Business Development Corporation, and is the economic development and income diversification business of the Forest County Potawatomi Community. Resources generated by Potawatomi Ventures and its holdings help diversify the tribal economy that supports Forest County Potawatomi’s tribal government and helps improve the lives of tribal members. Through trust, support, integrity, and mutual respect, Potawatomi Ventures is committed to building an economic engine that supports the Tribe for generations to come. Potawatomi Ventures is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is one of southeastern Wisconsin’s top minority-owned businesses.
About Potawatomi Ventures: Potawatomi Ventures is owned and operated by the Forest County Potawatomi Community of Wisconsin. The Company seeks to generate wealth and improve the quality of life for the Tribe by making strategic investments, acquisitions and prudent asset management decisions. Resources generated by Potawatomi Ventures and its holdings help diversify the tribal economy supporting Forest County Potawatomi’s tribal government and helps improve the lives of tribal members. Potawatomi Ventures subsidiary companies include Greenfire Management Services, Data Holdings, Sagewind Development, Wgema Leasing, fireside Market, and several Federal contracting operations.