North Wind Group Acquires Portage, Inc. – Previously Competing Companies Join Forces
Idaho Falls, Idaho – North Wind Group announced today that it acquired Portage, Inc. (Portage) and all of its subsidiaries in a complete stock purchase. Portage will be integrated into North Wind Group as one of its eight subsidiaries, and will be recertified as a small disadvantaged business (SDB).
“The addition of Portage to the North Wind Group of companies, strengthens our capabilities coast to coast and enables us to become even more competitive in our market, therefore allowing for continued growth and sustainability,” said Christopher P. Leichtweis, North Wind Group President. “Portage has a great reputation for excellent performance, and together we are a stronger and more capable organization.”
In the past 12 months, North Wind Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI), an Alaska Native corporation based in Anchorage, Alaska, has grown to more than 850 employees strong. With the addition of Portage, the combined companies now have over 1,100 employees, making North Wind Group one of the most robust and capable small businesses in the federal market, operating 8(a) and SDB in eight primary North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. Combined, the new group of companies will have a presence in 35 states and three countries, with plans for continued growth in Canada and the Pacific Rim.
North Wind and Portage bring vast experience in the fields of environmental, engineering, construction and various technical services and share an unprecedented dedication to safety, which is a great foundation for a successful merger. This strategic acquisition marks North Wind’s continued commitment to remain in Idaho Falls as our corporate setting and to continue to decentralize to all regions of the US and beyond.
“This merger creates one very strong team prepared to provide value added solutions to all of our customers as we leverage the expertise of the combined family of companies when competing for future work,” added Leichtweis.
Roy McKinney, PG, PMP, has been named the general manager and president of the new North Wind Company, Portage, Inc. Previously with Portage, Mr. McKinney brings more than 36 years of experience working in this industry with more than 20 years of experience at the senior management level directing a diverse portfolio ofenvironmental management projects for U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), as well as for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), commercial, and local clients, involving multiple location operations. Roy received his M.S. degree in Geological Engineering from the Mackay School of Mines at the University of Nevada Reno and his B.S. degree with honors in Geological Engineering from New Mexico State University. Mr. McKinney is a professional geologist, certified engineering geologist and project management professional.
“The recent growth that North Wind has experienced is extremely impressive and we are thrilled for the opportunity that this provides our employees as we merge as one group of companies,” said Roy McKinney, President of Portage.
About Portage, Inc.
Portage provides comprehensive engineering and technical solutions for environmental, infrastructure, and energy projects. Founded in 1992, the company supports federal, state, and local governments in addition to private industry worldwide. Based in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Portage also has offices in Utah, Colorado, Texas, Montana, Ohio, and New Mexico. For more information, visit www.portageinc.com.
About North Wind Group
North Wind is one of the nation’s leading small businesses providing engineering, construction, environmental, and technical services to federal and state agencies and private industry. Founded in 1997, North Wind has grown to a group of companies that employs more than 850 scientific, engineering, management and professional personnel. Since 2010, North Wind has been a wholly‐owned subsidiary of Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI), an Alaska Native corporation. (www.ciri.com) North Wind is headquartered in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and operates from 30 office locations throughout the country.
