Page 443 - JoFA_2022

THE LAST WORD / Dominic R. Ortiz, CPA, CGMA

Dominic R. Ortiz, CPA, CGMA,
is CEO of the Potawatomi Hotel
& Casino in Milwaukee and a
member of the AICPA board of
directors.
Favorite food: Delicious Indian tacos
with Grandma’s fry bread.

Favorite travel destination: I love
driving through the Great Lakes region.

Favorite leisure activities: My brother
and I enjoy competing on the Bass
Fishing League circuit.

‘I would encourage young people to always dream big …’

Benefiting from a presidential encounter: I wanted to had been elected to the tribal council, and so we took a leap
become an entrepreneur, and when I was at the University of faith. My brother and I worked our way up through the
of Kansas (KU), I studied accounting as a foundation to business and helped our nation transition the casino into a
build a business. I started selling Native American jewelry to tribally owned and operated business.
casinos and custom logo jewelry to universities. The Ameri- In July 2021, I became CEO of the Potawatomi Hotel &
can Indian Business Leaders had recognized my efforts, and Casino in Milwaukee. And because everything always looks
I had won a business plan competition when President Bill easier than it really is, I experienced some shock and awe,
Clinton selected me to introduce him before a speech to the realizing I was steering the ship with the Potawatomi Na-
Native American nation in Washington, D.C. It was incred- tion counting on me to make smart and calculated decisions
ible. Within 10 minutes of meeting the president, he began during the pandemic — one of the most difficult times we’ve
introducing me to people and calling me “Dom.” And as we ever faced — over the last two years.
prepared to walk in front of 100,000 people, he looked me
right in the eyes and said, “Hey, Dom, it’s showtime.” Dreaming big and working hard: My parents always told
Before graduating, I had interviews with three top ac- me, “If you can dream it, you can achieve it.” I had big, bold
counting firms. I’m sure I wasn’t as polished as the other ideas, and I was free to dream and to chase those dreams. And
candidates, and two of them turned me down. Then I went to I have been blessed to be around the tribal leaders throughout
an interview with EY. On the interviewer’s desk was the UK my life. They are both tough and forgiving, which helps keep
college newspaper with a front-page article about my meeting me grounded when I lift too high and lifts me up when I fall
with President Clinton. The interview quickly turned into a to the ground. I would encourage young people to always
discussion of my interaction with the president and then I dream big. If you love what you’re doing, are disciplined, and
went to the Kansas City, Missouri, corporate office for a sec- work hard, you can overcome any obstacle. I’m proof of that. I
ond interview. They saw something in me and hired me. never knew exam review courses existed, and I failed the CPA
Exam miserably the first time I took it. I would advise young
Taking a leap of faith: I am an enrolled member of the accounting students to create a clear path to study for the PHOTO COURTESY OF POTAWATOMI HOTEL & CASINO
Prairie Band of the Potawatomi Nation. After two years
CPA Exam, work hard, and never give up.
with EY, our tribe invited me and my brother, who worked
at Deloitte, to return home to Kansas and help them acquire
— As told to Teri Saylor, a freelance writer based in North Caro-
and operate the Prairie Band Casino and Resort that was
lina. To comment on this article or to suggest another subject for Last
under a management contract with Harrah’s. Our father
Word, contact Courtney Vien at Courtney.Vien@aicpa-cima.com.
40 | Journal of Accountancy
October 2022