Smiling man in a suit and tie sitting indoors.

Haskell D. Portee Biography and Awards

Haskell D. Portee (Danny), MBA, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Professional Management Enterprises, (PME) and WellTrans, Inc. He founded PME in 2006, upon his retirement from the United States Army, after dedicating more than 20 years of military service to his country. In 2020, he subsequently founded WellTrans, Inc., in order to better connect low-income Hoosiers with non-emergency medical transportation services.

He values a “team spirit” approach at his companies, which includes widespread, deep-rooted, continued community engagement from his teams. Recently, Danny was honored at the Champions of Diversity Awards as the recipient of the 2024 William G. Mays Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award, presented by Indiana Minority Business Magazine and Minority Business Review. Danny was also recognized as the 2023 Indiana SBA Business Person of the Year. In addition, he was honored with the 2022 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in Washington, D.C. from President Joe Biden. He leads his companies by example and has served as a community activist and impassioned advocate who builds alliances, engages on issues that affect quality of life, and makes communities stronger. In addition to those noted above, Danny and PME have also received the following awards:

  • 2024 Selection to National Small Business Association (NSBA) Leadership Council
  • 2024 Indiana Business Journal Top 25 Largest Minority Owned Businesses
  • 2023 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administration Award for Outstanding Accomplishments by a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business
  • 2023 Indiana and Central Small Business of the Year Award (SBA)
  • 2022 8(a) Small Business of the Year for Indiana & Mid-States Award (SBA)
  • 2021 Hire Vets Gold Medallion Award by US Secretary of Labor
  • 2021 Graduated from Birthing of Giants Fellowship Program (MIT)
  • 2021 Included in JP More Chase CEO Circle (Bunker Labs Program)
  • 2021 Industry Era Review, 10 Best Staffing Solution Providers
  • 2021 UpCity Top Staffing Agencies in US
  • 2020 Inc. 5000 list
  • 2019 Fort Campbell Best of the Best Award
  • 2019 Honorary PhD, Global Oved Dei Seminary and University
  • 2019 Graduate of Religious Studies and Chaplaincy Degree (GODSU)
  • Indiana Business Journal Fast 25 2018, 2019, 2020
  • Gene McFadden Small Business of the Year – Mid-states Minority

Danny’s community involvement is long-standing and extensive, including positions with Real Men Wear Pink (American Cancer Society), NAACP, 100 Black Men of Indiana, Free and Accepted Mason (Trinity Lodge #18), active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc, Board member for Alternative Inc. Battered Women’s Shelter, Board of Governors for Indiana Skyline Club (ClubCorp), Board Member for Job Ready Veterans, Sen. Todd Young’s WestPoint Selection Committee Member, and many others.

Danny grew up in Columbia, SC, and joined the Army upon his high school graduation. He received his Associate of Science and his Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management while serving in the Army. A dedicated lifelong learner, he later earned his MBA in Human Resource Management, along with other certifications including Human Capital Strategist, Certified Personnel Consultant, Certified Career Coach, Certified Resume Writer, Master Project Manager, Human Resource Project Manager, and HR Selection and Staffing Certification. In 2019, he attended and graduated with honors from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program at Babson College, as well as obtaining advance certifications in Strategic HR Business Partner and Change Management HR Certifications from the Human Capital Institute. He is presently completing his PhD at Columbia Southern University.

Danny and his wife, Pam, live in Indianapolis, close to their children and grandchildren.