Hayward, Wisconsin (Akiing)

John William “Bill” Cadotte, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe, was commended by Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle and Wisconsin Department of Commerce Secretary Cory Nettles for “outstanding accomplishments and contributions to Wisconsin Minority Business Development.”

Cadotte was honored as the Wisconsin Minority Business Advocate of the Year by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce at the Governor’s Conference on Minority Business Development Sept. 21 at the Ho-Chunk Hotel and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells

Cadotte has served on the Minority Business Development Board since 1989. The MBD low-interest loan program is designed to provide financial assistance for the start-up and expansion of minority-owned businesses in Wisconsin.

Born in Ladysmith, Cadotte is one of three sons of John and Marie Cadotte. He and his wife, Jacqui-Marie, White Earth Chippewa/Stockbridge Munsee, have three adult sons and a daughter as well as three grandchildren.

Cadotte graduated from the College of St. Scholastica with a Bachelor of Science, and received his Master of Science in Vocational Rehabilitation from Mankato State University. In 1987, he received a Master’s Degree in Business Management from Stanford University.

He has worked for the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe for the past 28 years, and is currently the Executive Director for the LCO Housing Authority. He has been actively involved with the Boys and Girls Club of LCO and with youth hockey programs.

Cadotte served as a board member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago from 2001-2003.