Our Mission and Values
Established in 2005 and owned by the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, Tepa, LLC oversees multiple affiliated entities
providing construction, environmental, technologies, and
industrial services to federal, state, local, commercial, and tribal clients worldwide. Guided by our “One Tepa” initiative, all Tepa Companies operate under a unified administrative and executive management team, ensuring clients benefit from greater efficiency, cost benefits, technical expertise, and quality across every project. Our mission is to create lasting value by giving back to our Tribal owners, strengthening communities, and supporting our clients in building a better tomorrow.
Purpose Statement
To design, engineer, and build innovative systems, structures, and solutions for our clients; provide rewarding careers and professional development for our employees; and strengthen and support the sovereignty, objectives, and financial independence of our Tribal owner.
One Tepa
The One Tepa Initiative unites all businesses of Tepa, LLC under a shared vision of collaboration, transparency, and collective success. By working together as one organization, we strive to unify the Tepa Companies and use our combined strengths to deliver meaningful impact. Through open communication and continuous improvement, we build stronger teams, support our clients, and drive sustainable growth.
Tepa’s core values reflect our commitment to accountability, safety, professionalism, integrity, respect, and empowerment in day-to-day work and project operations. These values foster a successful and supportive workplace that ensures the consistent and exceptional delivery of sustainable solutions for our clients.
Tepa ASPIREs to Live Our Core Values
Be responsible for your performance and set clear expectations.
- Prioritize employee growth and development
- Set and meet quality standards and project deadlines
- Accept responsibility for your actions and the actions of your team
Ensure everyone gets home safely.
- Consider safety both on and off the job
- Promote a safe environment and avoid unsafe situations
- Respond to and address safety breaches
Conduct yourself appropriately and inspire confidence.
- Be prepared and work hard
- Remain calm
- Communicate consistently, regularly and thoroughly
Do the right thing.
- Be honest, open, and transparent
- Act ethically
- Embrace Tepa’s Core Values and Code of Ethics
Appreciate your clients, coworkers, contractors, and the work we do.
- Listen and seek to understand
- Recognize differences and promote an inclusive environment
- Collaborate with clients, coworkers and contractors
Advance and strengthen the tribe’s sovereignty and objectives.
- Make regular, increasing and sustainable distributions to the Tribe
- Create opportunities for tribal citizens, other natives and tribal nations
- Promote native cultural awareness within Tepa Companies
Be responsible for your performance and set clear expectations.
Accountability is a promise we make to our clients and to each other, not a policy we point to. We follow through on what we say we’ll do, and if we fall short, we name it honestly rather than explain it away.
Tepa’s leadership models this by taking responsibility openly; employees carry it forward by holding the same standard with their colleagues, offering direct feedback and expecting it in return. The result is trust, earned one commitment at a time, and the freedom to do meaningful work we’re proud of.
Ensure everyone gets home safely.
Safety is embedded in everything we do at Tepa, and it belongs to everyone, from leadership to each member of our project teams. That means looking out for one another, following safe practices, and speaking up when something feels wrong before it becomes a risk. We plan our work so it can be done safely, and we stay trained, prepared, and supported to carry that responsibility every day.
Teams that take safety seriously communicate better, work with more confidence, and treat each other’s well-being with real respect.
Conduct yourself appropriately and inspire confidence.
At Tepa, we think of professionalism as more than how we present ourselves; it’s how we work together, serve others, and build a workplace rooted in trust. Showing up prepared, communicating clearly and consistently, and taking genuine pride in what we deliver: That’s what it looks like day to day. Our employees extend it by being dependable and thoughtful in every interaction, with colleagues and clients alike.
What follows is smoother collaboration; clearer expectations; and a team that feels confident, valued, and motivated to bring their best.
Do the right thing.
Integrity guides how we conduct business, how we treat people, and how we build relationships that last. It means doing the right thing even when no one is watching, staying consistent in our actions, and aligning every decision with our values.
We keep our word and communicate transparently, because trust is earned through dependable, principled behavior; and we ask employees to hold that same standard with one another, valuing character as much as capability. That’s what makes it possible for people to speak openly, act confidently, and trust that the culture around them is honest.
Appreciate your clients, coworkers, contractors, and the work we do.
Respect is the foundation of how we work together, communicate, and promote teamwork with the people who rely on us. It means creating an environment where people feel genuinely heard, supported, and appreciated for the unique contributions they bring; recognizing that different backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints are what make our work richer and our teams stronger. We hold that same standard with our colleagues, collaborating, problem-solving, and holding one another accountable with care and consideration.
When respect is woven into the culture, communication flows more openly, teamwork deepens, and people feel confident bringing their best ideas forward.
Advance and strengthen the tribe’s sovereignty and objectives.
Empowerment sits at the heart of how we invest in our people, advance our mission, and create lasting impact for our clients.
Our commitment extends to honoring and strengthening the sovereignty and goals of our owning Tribe and Native peoples connected to our work. We cultivate awareness of Native culture, traditions, and heritage within our company, because that history gives our mission deeper meaning and purpose.
Empowerment also means giving people the trust, support, and resources they need to take ownership of their work and reach their full potential. At our company, we encourage initiative, welcome fresh ideas, and create space for every team member to use their strengths. When people are trusted to think independently and act with purpose, they do their best work, and that creates opportunity, growth, and positive impact that reaches well beyond our organization.
Our Owning Tribe and Community
Tepa, LLC is owned by the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, a federally recognized tribe based in Corning, California.
The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, a federally recognized tribe based in Corning, California, is dedicated to strengthening its economy for the benefit of its tribal members and the surrounding community through the development and growth of its economic enterprises, including the Tepa Companies.
Community Engagement
Our impact extends beyond the services we provide. At Tepa, our culture is rooted in giving back, empowering native communities, supporting educational advancement, and strengthening neighborhoods through every project we deliver.
- Camp Tepa
- Scholarships
- University of Phoenix Tribal Alliance
- Holiday Meal Food Distribution
- Tribal Projects
- Tribal Education & Events
From celebrating our first $10 million contract to pursuing projects valued at more than $100 million, the Tepa Companies’ more than 20-year journey reflects remarkable growth and an enduring commitment to excellence. Over two decades, our capabilities have expanded and so has our reputation as a trusted, competitive leader in construction, environment, industrial, and technology. Today, we proudly partner with clients across the nation and around the world, bringing skill, integrity, and innovation to every project.
Our Commitment to Safety
The Tepa Companies are proud to have been recognized by the National Safety Council with the following awards:
- Safety Leadership Award: 2012-2022
- Awarded to companies that achieve five consecutive years of no occupational injuries, illnesses, or deaths
- Perfect Record Award: 2018-2025
- Awarded to companies that reach 12-months without an occupational injury, illness, or death
- Occupational Excellence Achievement Award: 2017-2025
- Awarded to companies that maintain injury and illness records at or better than 50% of the Bureau of Labor Statistics industry benchmark