Native American Indian History Month: Dominic Ortiz

Tribal, Family and Mentor Support Helped Guide Dominic Ortiz to Valuable Opportunities

In November, the AICPA along with the entire nation, celebrates Native American Indian History Month. For Dominic Ortiz, a CPA, CGMA and enrolled tribal member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, the month is about recognizing the contributions that First Nations Peoples have made to the U.S. and sharing tribal culture and traditions. It is also about honoring his heritage by using his experience as a CPA and CGMA to continually give back to the community that has given him so much.

Ortiz credits his tribe, as well as family members and mentors, for supporting, encouraging and guiding him. Ortiz began his academic career at Haskell Indian’s Nation University. While there, he became president of the American Indian Business Leaders (AIBL), a nonprofit dedicated to empowering business students.

While he was a student, he met Tom Clevenger, a CPA and professor in Accounting who was working with his tribe as a business consultant. Clevenger and Ortiz’s father, a tribally elected member of the tribal council, had become friends.

“While he was at our house, Professor Clevenger told me how important it was for me to get my CPA,” explains Ortiz. “He encouraged me to get a CPA instead of pursuing a Ph.D. in Accounting. He said, ‘Nobody will listen unless you get your CPA. It will open countless doors and opportunities to the business world.’”

This meeting proved highly influential, and Clevenger continued to mentor Ortiz. Ortiz eventually transferred to Kansas University, where he could enroll in courses that would give him the opportunity to pursue the CPA credential. He earned a master’s degree in Accounting from KU.

Through his involvement with AIBL, he was offered an opportunity to introduce then-President Bill Clinton at an event attended by 50,000, including tribal leaders from across the U.S.

“I was waiting in line to meet the president, and had planned to give him a Native American storyteller bracelet,” he explains. “But when it was my turn, I shook his hand, then moved on—but a moment later, I turned around and said, ‘Mr. President, I have something for you.’”

When he did, President Clinton pulled Ortiz aside, and to his surprise, he spent the day shadowing the president before doing the introduction.

At the time, Ortiz was interviewing at Ernst & Young and leadership there took note of what had happened. Shortly after, he was offered a position at their Kansas City office.

While the experience at Ernst & Young was invaluable, when asked to return to his tribe to work for them, Ortiz did not hesitate. As CFO for his tribe’s casino, he not only offered accounting advice, he also took part in cultural traditions and ceremonies.

In February 2015, he started a new role at the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass, Texas, as Assistant General Manager. Ortiz’s work is significant and varied, as the casino not only includes a major gaming center, but also a 300-room hotel and 10 restaurants and bars. Prior to this, he worked for his own tribe for 14 years, most recently as CFO of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Entertainment Corporation.

In addition, Ortiz was invited to attend the AICPA’s Leadership Academy in October 2011. From 2012-2015, he served a term on the AICPA Governing Council, providing insights on how to reach Native American students. This fall, he will continue this work through his involvement with the AICPA National Commission on Diversity and Inclusion.

Ortiz believes that CPAs have the power to transcend cultural differences and provide insight and guidance to individuals looking to find a career path.

“A CPA reached out to share with me the relevance and importance of becoming a CPA, and this was a turning point for me,” he says. “Bringing the best and brightest to our industry can be done by just one conversation with an individual.”

Kim Drumgo, MBA, PMP, Director-Diversity & Inclusion, American Institute of CPAs

Native American Indian History Month: Dominic Ortiz

Related Stories