Who We Are

Collaboration is at the heart of every great design.

About us

Making a positive impact for many generations to come.

Seven Generations A+E (7GAE) delivers creative solutions inspired by Indigenous traditions, beliefs, and planning. Founded in 2012 as a Tribally-Owned, 8(a), Small Disadvantaged business, our core value is Seven Generation Sustainability; an ecological concept that urges the current generation of humans to live sustainably and work for the benefit of the seventh generation into the future. 7GAE is wholly owned by Mno-Bmadsen, the investment enterprise of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. Our team specializes in architecture, planning, interior design, research, and design consultation.

Seven Generations Architecture and Engineering is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Learn More about Our Services

Est.

2012

Tribally
Owned

Play video to learn more about Mno-Bmadsen

Mno-Bmadsen Owned

Established to support the growing need for design and construction services for Tribes.

Mno-Bmadsen established Seven Generations Architecture and Engineering to support its growing need for design and construction services within the Tribe’s geographic and economically controlled land development. The motivation went well beyond the concept of design and engineering as form and function, and incorporates the firm’s core value of Seven Generation Sustainability — an ecological concept that urges the current generation of humans to live sustainability and work for the benefit of the seventh generation into the future.

Learn More About Mno-Bmadsen

Achieving great things.

AIA Honor Award
Keshena Falls Restoration

2019

AIA Southwest Michigan

Outstanding Planning and Design Award
Gateway to the North Mixed-Use Masterplan Study

2019

Arizona State University & Construction in Indian Country

AIA Honor Award
7GAE New Office Build

2019

AIA Southwest Michigan

Honor Award
Pokagon Tribal Court and Peacemaking Center

2017

AIA Southwest Michigan

Quality of Life Award
Pokagon Bent Tree Market

2014

ASCE Michigan Section

Honor Award
Pokagon Health & Wellness Center

2015

AIA Southwest Michigan

Honor Award
Leadership Camp Treehouses

2020

AIA Southwest Michigan

Honor Award
Arcadia Festival Place Master Plan

2020

AIA Southwest Michigan

Merit Award
Indiana Private Residence

2020

AIA Southwest Michigan

Merit Award
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe D1 Health Clinic

2020

AIA Southwest Michigan

Seven Generations Architecture + Engineering

Leadership Team

Jeremy Berg

Group President | COO
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EDUCATION
  • Master of Architecture | University of Michigan
  • Bachelor of Professional Studies in Architecture | State University of New York at Buffalo

Jeremy Berg

Group President | COO

Jeremy is an active leader in all phases of the practice of architecture, including master planning, schematic design, design development, construction documents, and construction administration. He has experience leading multi-discipline teams in new construction and renovation. He has worked as an architectural medical subject matter expert on behalf of the Department of Defense for the US government. As President of Bodwé Professional Services Group, he provides strategic leadership for 7GAE, setting and managing long-range goals and policies.

Registrations/Certifications:
Architectural Licenses
  • Alabama, 7184
  • Florida, 96294
  • Indiana, AR11400142
  • Maryland, 15061
  • Michigan, 1301058502
  • Nebraska, A-4486
  • North Dakota, 2514
  • Oklahoma, A08316
  • South Dakota, 12193
  • Washington, 12846
  • West Virginia, 5256
Interior Design License
  • NCIDQ #30928
More From Jeremy
Blog Post
Rapid City Health Center Exterior 360 Animation
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Project
Bay Mills Indian Community Elder Housing
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Karl Kowalske

President
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EDUCATION
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) | Michigan State University
  • Master of Architecture | University of Michigan
  • Bachelor of Science in Architecture | University of Michigan

Karl Kowalske

President

As President of Seven Generations Architecture & Engineering, Karl is accountable for overseeing 7GAE’s operations and working with the team to ensure each team member finds his or her path to success. Karl is responsible for providing strong leadership for the company by working with the board and other executives to establish short and long-term goals, plans and strategies. Karl has focused his career on developing performance-driven healthcare solutions that improve outcomes, serve communities, and fit clients.

Registrations/Certifications:
Architectural License
  • Michigan #1301054562
  • Indiana #AR11400034
  • Ohio #ARC 1015168
Professional Credentials
  • LEED Accredited Professional
  • ACHA
  • EDAC
  • NCARB
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Steve VandenBussche

Vice President of Practice | Senior Healthcare Architect
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EDUCATION
  • Master of Architecture | University of Michigan
  • Bachelor of Science in Architecture | University of Michigan

Steve VandenBussche

Vice President of Practice | Senior Healthcare Architect

Steve is the Vice President of Practice at Seven Generations Architecture and Engineering and leads the Healthcare Architecture and Planning for the company. Steve has provided high level design and professional services to a wide range of client types in the Healthcare and Higher Education market sectors. His goal on every project is to provide superior service by utilizing the latest tools in technology to assist in communicating and visualizing our client’s desires. His role is to assist with the visualization and implementation of the program and design approach for the project.

Registrations/Certifications:
Architectural License
  • Michigan #1301053051
Professional Credentials
  • LEED Accredited Professional
Project
Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin Sturgeon Coming Home Place
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Ryan Odell

Vice President of Operations
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EDUCATION
  • Bachelor of Science in Construction Management | Michigan State University
  • Master of Business Administration | Northwood University

Ryan Odell

Vice President of Operations

Ryan serves as Vice President of Operations and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of 7GAE and its staff. Ryan also has over 10 years of working for a multinational construction and development company serving as project manager, project engineer and project estimator. With more than 20 years of experience, he is skilled at project and financial management, operational efficiencies, staff development and providing strategic direction of the company and its overall client service activities.

Registrations/Certifications:
Professional Certifications
  • Certified Healthcare Constructor (CHC),
  • Healthcare Construction Certified (HCC)
  • OSHA 10-Hour
  • 2-Hour Asbestos Hazard Awareness
Project
Bay Mills Indian Community Elder Housing
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Ivan McPherson

Federal Program Manager
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EDUCATION
  • Master of Arts in Management | Webster University
  • Bachelor of Science in Psychology | Michigan State University

Ivan McPherson

Federal Program Manager

Ivan McPherson oversees 7GAE field staff agents across the country and is responsible for the coordination, direction, and completion of contracts with the Defense Health Agency (DHA). Ivan is also tasked with contributing to company strategy and helping to lead the growth of Seven Generations A+E.

Registrations/Certifications:
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)
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Steve Zimmerman

Director of Construction Services
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EDUCATION
  • Bachelor of Science in Biology | University of Michigan

Steve Zimmerman

Director of Construction Services

Steve has over 25 years of experience working for a major general contractors and construction management firm. Steve’s experience ranges from field installation to leading construction management teams on a variety of LEED-certified and award-winning projects. He is a citizen of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi.

His project management experience includes a variety of services ranging from estimating to closeout, as well as administering ASHRAE Guideline Zero services to help new facilities improve building energy efficiency.

Registrations/Certifications:
  • LEED Accredited Professional
  • Master Plumber License, MI #8111399
  • Journey Plumber License, MI #8218649
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Rick Slone

Senior Project Manager | Technical Lead | Studio Director
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EDUCATION
  • A.A.S. Architectural Technology | Ferris State University

Rick Slone

Senior Project Manager | Technical Lead | Studio Director

Rick has over 41 years of architectural experience. As a leader of the architectural team, Rick oversees preparation of construction drawings, working closely with the design team to ensure the defined scope of work is clearly documented and performs constructability analysis at set milestones. His strength is in the ‘nuts and bolts’ of what we do on a macro scale and his variety of experience gives him a unique perspective on the big picture.

Registrations/Certifications:
Professional Affiliations
  • Kalamazoo County Education for Employment Advisory Committee
  • Western Michigan University – Adjunct Faculty
Project
Pokagon Court & Peacemaking Center
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Stephanie Sokolowski

Senior Interior Designer | Studio Leader
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EDUCATION
  • Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design | Michigan State University

Stephanie Sokolowski

Senior Interior Designer | Studio Leader

Stephanie leads the Interior Design department and has over eleven years of experience in interior architecture and design. She is active in all phases of the design process, including research, programming, schematic design, design development, construction documentation and construction administration. She has experience in all areas of healthcare design, including inpatient and outpatient care. Stephanie finds value in building meaningful client relationships while utilizing her experience to continuously improve the interior environment.

Registrations/Certifications:
Interior Design License
  • NCIDQ #31547
Professional Credentials
  • LEED Green Associate
Professional Associations
  • International Interior Design Association
  • Women in Healthcare
Project
Bay Mills Indian Community Elder Housing
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Scott Winchester

Senior Project Manager | Tribal Liaison
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EDUCATION
  • Bachelor of Architecture | University of Notre Dame

Scott Winchester

Senior Project Manager | Tribal Liaison

Scott is responsible for tribal client relations, planning, business development and project management.  He is an enrolled member of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi and has over 35 years of architectural experience specializing in design of Tribal healthcare, educational and justice facilities.

Scott’s strengths include a collaborative approach that links the vision of the client with the expectations of the larger community in order to create facilities that benefit everyone, focusing on sustainability.

Registrations/Certifications:
Architectural Licenses
  • Michigan #130103189
  • Indiana #AR00860109
  • Wisconsin #5185-005
  • Illinois #001-009957
  • NCARB #31971

 

Project
Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin Sturgeon Coming Home Place
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Join The Team

We are always looking for individuals that are excited about the future of the built environment.

See Available Careers at 7GAE

Partner With Us

We are continuously seeking multi-disciplinary engineering and construction teaming partners for our work.

If you are interested in teaming up with us, reach out through our website's submission form.

Get in Touch

Tribal partners, help us identify synergies and contact you if applicable.

Connect With Us

Tribally Owned

As a Tribally-owned company, working with Indigenous people is our passion at Seven Generations Architecture and Engineering.  We understand that these projects not only add to the services a Tribe can offer its citizens, but in many cases are the culmination of years of effort by passionate Tribal citizens.

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8(a) Certified (2/2023)

SBA (8a) is an ownership/diversity certification sponsored by the Small Business Association (SBA) of the United States government. The 8(a) program is a nine-year business development program that provides  business training, counseling, marketing and technical assistance to small businesses that have been certified.

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SDB

Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) is an ownership/ diversity self-certification recognized by the Small Business Association (SBA) of the United States government. This certification is for organizations that are owned (at least 51%) by one or more disadvantaged persons. SDB status makes a company eligible for bidding and contracting benefit programs involved with federal procurement.

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