In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Dominic Ortiz, CEO of Potawatomi Casino Hotel, for a powerful conversation on leadership, tribal gaming, sovereignty, and building something that lasts. Dominic shares his path from accounting and audit to casino operations and the CEO seat, what it took to help align 11 sovereign nations around a shared vision, and why trust, culture, and community remain at the center of every major decision. He also unpacks sports betting, regulation, AI, cybersecurity risk, and the difference between chasing short-term wins and building long-term strength.

This episode is for executives, operators, and rising leaders who want to lead with more courage, conviction, and care for the people depending on them. Press play before you confuse scale with impact.

Chapters:
(0:19) From accountant to casino CEO
(3:22) The values that shaped his leadership
(5:20) Getting it wrong and learning forward
(6:28) Aligning 11 sovereign nations
(9:16) Why regulation and sovereignty matter
(11:03) AI, cybersecurity, and the next threat
(14:10) Trust inside tribal leadership
(20:17) Advice for the next generation
(24:32) What he is optimizing for now
(27:31) The legacy he hopes to leave

Dominic

(0:00) I just knew that hard work and dedication and opportunity would find you so I stayed on that path and ultimately became, I worked for Ernst & Young for a few years, got my CPA credential, learned, they taught me and beat it into me about what controls, risks, audits, how to manage it, Sarbanes-Oxley, all that.

Melissa

(0:19) Most executives align to one board, one leadership team, and one company. (0:25) Dominic Ortiz, CEO of Potawatomi Casino Hotel, single-handedly aligned 11 sovereign nations to one common goal and we’re going to unpack that a little bit today. (0:37) But let’s first start with Dominic Ortiz.

(0:40) Who are you and how did you get to become the CEO of 4th County Potawatomi Casino?

Dominic

(0:46) So, you know, my journey’s interesting. (0:49) I started in Kansas, you know, and gaming was kind of coming to the forefront. (0:55) And for us in Indian gaming, I’m an enrolled member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.

(1:00) My dad was a tribal leader and he was involved. (1:02) I seen it come to the nation. (1:04) I took a career path to get in accounting.

(1:06) I knew that I needed to get an edge to in business and for me and my family, it was like, look, if you understood accounting, it can take you new places and open doors. (1:14) So I started out as a following that path. (1:17) It was not something that I aspired to be.

(1:20) I just knew that hard work and dedication and opportunity would find you. (1:24) So I stayed on that path and ultimately became, I worked for Ernst & Young for a few years, got my CPA credential, learned, they taught me and beat it into me about what controls, risks, audits, how to manage it, Sarbanes-Oxley, all that. (1:40) And it was a great background and it got me prepared to jump into gaming.

(1:45) And I kind of followed that finance path, but I’ve worked in all the operations. (1:50) I’ve actually been director of food and beverage for a year. (1:53) I’ve been a regulatory compliance and cage supervisor.

(1:56) I worked my way up and went to graduate school three days a week and worked 10 three-hour shifts because that’s what the cage could do. (2:05) And ultimately I became CFO and worked with my tribe and continued to explore that and expanded my wings and decided as a CFO, I want to get into operations more and got an opportunity to be an AGM. (2:20) That operation down in the Mexico border with my friends at Kickapoo, man.

(2:27) Love them guys down there. (2:28) And then made my way up to Michigan. (2:30) I became CFO for the Soaring Eagle Casinos, where we basically managed about three properties, good team, solid team, taught me as much as I loved to work with them and was able to grow with that type of facility.

(2:43) And that just prepared me. (2:44) I went back as CFO and didn’t know if I would ready to be CEO, but I felt it. (2:48) I’ve worked with the CEOs.

(2:50) I felt like I’ve been cornerstone of their success. (2:53) And it was time for me to have that opportunity and take the reins and try and explain my case and try and get to the top. (2:59) So took a few interviews.

(3:01) So, you know, first one, two didn’t stick, right? (3:03) And you keep trying, keep trying to get better, never quit, make yourself better, study, educate, work hard and opportunities were following. (3:11) This one opened up in the Forest County Tribal Council, believed in me, gave me my first opportunity as CEO in a business that was shut down and they were hurt coming out of COVID.

Melissa

(3:22) You know, one of the things I’ve always admired and loved about you and we’ve had the opportunity to speak before on a panel is I often have found you to be someone that really connects with people and you are a fantastic leader. (3:37) And I I’m curious, was there a specific chapter of all these chapters you’ve had that have kind of aligned you to become the leader that you are today?

Dominic

(3:45) Yeah. (3:46) You know, for me, being in tribal gaming, the tribal elders always believe in and, you know, taking that next level, that next step, caring about the employees that work for the business. (4:03) You know, a lot of them don’t hear those conversations, but these elders always, you know, hey, take care of our people.

(4:08) They work hard for us. (4:08) They spend a lifetime here. (4:09) These conversations go on and, you know, you hear those conversations for 30 years.

(4:14) And and for me, just coming from the industry, knowing that I was, you know, slanging coin and paying jackpots and counting W2G slips and a lot of wonderful people that I’ve met at every single level. (4:27) So for me, it’s just it’s kind of and I feel like everybody is, you know, working hard and trying to get ahead in life. (4:33) And I want to help them there.

(4:34) I want to provide opportunities. (4:36) And I love their personalities. (4:37) They’re here.

(4:38) They’re entertainers. (4:39) They’re working holidays 24-7. (4:41) Why couldn’t you appreciate them?

(4:42) So for me, I think it’s just, you know, bottom of heart. (4:44) That’s who I am, where I come from. (4:46) And I appreciate it.

Melissa

(4:47) Yeah. (4:47) And, you know, it’s interesting that you mentioned that because I my first opportunity to be at this casino was in 2011, and it looked much different than it looks today. (4:57) And I’ve had different tribal leaders that I have interact with and worked with over the years at Forrest County.

(5:04) And I often find that they tell you like it is they if they’re not happy about something, they let you know, and it’s straight to it. (5:12) And I love that about about the leadership. (5:15) And I really love that about tribes in general.

(5:17) They’re pretty direct with, you know, what they think. (5:20) And so I’d love to get your perspective on a time that you got it wrong. (5:25) And what did you do to kind of make it right?

(5:29) I think as leaders, we all kind of make mistakes. (5:32) It’s how you become a really good effective leader.

Dominic

(5:35) Yeah, I mean, you know, certainly, I think we all have a list of those as we look back in the past. (5:40) And for me, I, I think, you know, making sure that you respect each of the council members, you know, and make sure and keep the nation in your mind and what you’re doing and moving forward. (5:58) I don’t know in our business, I’d kind of say the mistakes are it’s like no good dingoes unpunished to okay, because the resources are limited, you have a community that’s dependent on you.

(6:06) And you’re coming to the tail asking saying, hey, you need this for your business or else. (6:11) And that’s a tough conversation when they lead the nation. (6:14) And they’re required, you know, all fronts to make sure that they’re elected, they’re there, they’re leading, they’re getting, putting them in the right position.

(6:22) So I think, you know, it’s it just becomes difficult in that nature.

Melissa

(6:28) Yeah, I had the opportunity to listen to you present at IGA this year about Governor Evers signed AB 601 on April 9, making Wisconsin a 33 state, 33 state to legalize sports betting. (6:45) I had to check my notes here, make sure I got the right bill. (6:48) This is one of the biggest and most significant thing to happen in Wisconsin.

(6:54) I’d love to get your perspective on how that felt like a huge, huge thing that you guys did to align 11 sovereign nations to agree, unpack that a little bit for me. (7:05) Ready to lead smarter and invest wiser. (7:08) On the Executive Connect podcast, we unpack executive strategies for wealth and influence.

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Dominic

(7:19) I tell you know, really come down to the leader, the leadership of the elders, you know, what they shared with me, and have a big vision of have great team around me, you know, my core group around me understands this industry, they, they seen what was coming, we knew that we had to prepare ourselves. (7:39) And we seen a pathway, we seen a vision, you know, we’ve been, you know, these tribes here in Wisconsin been successful for 30 years operating their own brands and their casinos. (7:47) And, you know, you guys have had that pathway, how do we continue to respect sovereignty and bring this opportunity to the table, because the elders around me listened.

(7:58) And I said, Look, we’re digital is coming for us, you know, I’m going to start being impacted in your land base and your retail. (8:06) And I’m right now I can’t move my tech stack, I can’t address this market, but they’re finding loopholes. (8:12) And they are marketing to your clients in Wisconsin, in my eyes, you’re violating state and federal compacts.

(8:20) And, you know, that’s a real concern. (8:22) There are communities that depend on this. (8:25) And we’re trying to be stewards of the industry as we’ve followed (8:30) responsible gaming and all the licensing rules and regulations and have held ourselves to, you (8:35) know, the highest standard that we can and have delivered, you know, when we provide gaming in (8:40) rural areas, the thing is, is that that money and for the tribe and what we make it recirculates (8:45) in that state in that economy, providing infrastructure, medical, you know, everything (8:50) that you see that we need. (8:51) So for us, I think it was easy for the elders who were sitting around the table and understand what we’re up against.

(8:59) And then, you know, the vision is to that we can stand together that we can serve this market that we can bring responsible statewide gaming and, and be able to be successful in partnership and keep this circulating in our economy.

Melissa

(9:16) Yeah, and that’s a really good point. (9:18) I want to talk a little bit. (9:19) I think the one thing I love about Wisconsin is this state has been doing gaming for a long time.

(9:25) Gaming is not new here. (9:26) It’s not a new state. (9:28) Sports betting may be a new thing.

(9:29) But gaming is, you know, you’ve been working in, you know, a compacted fashion for many years, I want to talk a little bit about what just passed in Nevada and, you know, prediction markets and get, you know, your thoughts on, you know, as a CEO sitting inside an organization that works around regulation, not only from your Tribal Gaming Commission, but a state as well. (9:53) What were your thoughts when you heard that Nevada blocked?

Dominic

(9:57) Yeah, we look, I mean, that’s hope for us, you know, for us. (10:00) And we had these conversations, you know, we can see that our impact is real on our businesses. (10:06) And we need an opportunity to respect our compacts that exist.

(10:12) So for us, I think that’s a big win. (10:15) You know, we want to see that the predictions aren’t allowed to violate our state and tribal compacts, and that we’d be able to move in that pathway forward.

Melissa

(10:27) Yeah, and I also see how hard the tribes have worked across the United States and Canada to fight for gaming in their specific jurisdictions. (10:36) And, you know, I think these markets put a significant risk to revenue for the tribes, and they’re not regulated, they’re not safe, they don’t have kind of guardrails around, you know, many, many years of regulation. (10:51) And, you know, working together as a team to make sure that what you’re doing inside a casino is safe and secure for not only the tribe, but for the people that, you know, come to play inside of a casino.

(11:03) And so with that in mind, I want to talk a little bit about AI and cybersecurity. (11:07) I think, I don’t know about you, but I can’t, you know, turn on any TV or any social media where something’s not about AI. (11:14) I think it’s on all of our minds and all of our desks.

(11:20) And so I want to get your thoughts on, you know, what you think about AI and how it’s going to, you know, help the tribe or maybe even, you know, affect business for the casinos?

Dominic

(11:32) Well, I think it’s two fronts, right? (11:34) Operationally, AI can provide some opportunities to assist the operations when protected and rolled out appropriately, and then we can all use it in that way. (11:44) I think there’s some coveted help there when we work internally.

(11:49) But then AI also opens up other threats, and it makes it easier for phishing scams and opportunities to come through and fake people’s names and numbers and things like that. (11:59) It just becomes more and more advanced. (12:01) So I see that, you know, AI to me in two ways is because we’ve had AI used against us, right?

(12:09) And so, but I also want to harness that power as we make decisions, you know, do we want to make the best experience we can for our guests? (12:20) I want to, you know, create the best, most positive environment that we can. (12:24) How do we get our employees more?

(12:26) How do we continue to, you know, crack the code? (12:28) As we say in a casino, we’re up against every day, we’re always up against a new hill. (12:33) So.

Melissa

(12:34) Yeah, and I think that’s a really good point. (12:35) I think, you know, now we have so many different age groups inside a casino, and casino is not just gambling. (12:43) It’s a lot of different pieces now.

(12:44) It’s entertainment, it’s hospitality, it’s food and beverage, it’s sports betting. (12:48) And the one beautiful thing about technology is if it’s done right, it makes the experience well, and, you know, the way that the patron wants to interact with the casino. (12:59) And so I love the new kiosk that self-check in a new self-check kiosk.

(13:05) And so the other thing I think about in AI and cybersecurity is the gaming industry has seen a lot of cyber, you know, breaches in the last several years. (13:18) And I would say, you know, looking back 10 years ago, I think everybody really operated in their own kind of four walls, if you will. (13:27) And now I’ve seen the tribes really form a lot of community around sharing what’s going on inside their casino or around talking on what they’re working on, on what they see is going well in the industry.

(13:41) And I love seeing that because I would say when I first got started in tribal gaming 15 years ago, that was not the case. (13:47) And we’ve seen, you know, you know, perpetrators drive up a highway and a casino that was 10 minutes away from each other, they were getting hit without collaborating. (13:56) And so I love to see what Wisconsin is doing with collaboration.

(14:00) I think you guys are, you know, a true role model, what can happen when one works together. (14:07) And so I love to see that. (14:10) I want to talk a little bit about the one thing I’ve loved about working for and with tribes is the trust factor.

(14:20) It’s everything you don’t just show up to a tribe, tribal casino and work with a tribal casino, you need to spend many years, you know, building trust and working, you know, with the tribe. (14:32) And so talk to me a little bit about, you know, your thoughts on working inside tribes with sovereign nations and trust. (14:41) Money Ripples is on a mission to help professionals just like you get their money working harder for you, their clients free up an average of $35,000 their very first year without having to work extra hours to show you how they’ve put together a powerful training called cash flow secrets.

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Dominic

(15:12) Yeah. (15:13) And it’s really important. (15:15) I mean, if you look at our, at our tribal nations, you know, and how we’re built, you know, a lot of them share historical knowledge, man, and have ways about them that, you know, aren’t aren’t in the books.

(15:30) My elder will tell you, you know, our greatest leaders never went to college, not saying not to go to college, you need the skill set. (15:36) But, you know, that knowledge and that leadership and that skill set is, you know, passed down through generations. (15:42) And these leaders that are elected to this table from their tribe, they bring that to the table.

(15:47) And so when you’re with them, they may not be able to break down a tech stack, but they understand (15:53) the vision, they understand the risks, they understand what the implications are to their (15:57) people, you know, and they’re always looking to strengthen the culture to make that, you know, (16:07) our communities can thrive, that we have not only an ability to work, but an entrepreneurial spirit (16:14) that we’re able to create a pathway, you know, in some senses, my dad as a tribal leader would say, (16:19) you know, these boarding schools, we were missing a generation, you know, I call it that he would (16:23) say that missing generation. (16:24) And he said, you know, Dom, it’s got to close that gap. (16:28) You know, and that’s part of what we’re doing is we rebuild these things and connect.

(16:32) And even for me traveling around Ojibwe nations across the country, I’ve got to speak and talk with elders and share stories from different nations. (16:39) And, you know, even as I lead this nation today, you know, elders call me even in addition just to my counsel, that phone rings, I’m answering that and I’m hearing what they have to say. (16:48) They call you, they share their prayers with you, you know, they’re thinking about you and they help guide you and know, you know, help understand what the heartbeat of their people is, even though, you know, I am Pottawatomie, this is Forest County Pottawatomie, I’m not enrolled in their nation, you know, but they know who I am and who my family is and where I come from.

(17:08) But, you know, so I think having that trust, as you say, it’s like, you know, I have to, you know, I listen to everybody, you know, and respect the nation. (17:19) It don’t matter who comes through the (17:20) door, we try and do what they asked us, you know, we’re trying to provide a better future, you know, (17:26) for the next generation that we’d like to see, that, you know, Mother Earth and our land and (17:31) our water, this is our belief that we want to see these things for them, that it’s healthy, (17:37) it’s taken care of, it has life, everything that you’re walking and standing on here, we only (17:40) buried our people down to here, so you’re literally walking on our people who were here (17:45) on this land and they’ll tell you like that, that this Earth, so this ain’t normal board talk, but (17:50) this is managing a tribal casino and talking to them, maybe through prayer, and they’re giving (17:57) you advice or taking care of you and how you listen, so, or they can be just up front, you (18:03) know, our elders are pretty stark, they’ll tell you how it is, if you think you’re going wrong, (18:07) and they’ll tell you when they’ll hold you accountable and when they won’t, and, you know, (18:11) you just, you walk tall, they encourage you, this business is never easy, but they count on you, (18:17) and, you know, that’s what I like to create as a culture, where we look to, you know, exceed the (18:24) experience, that we look to do the unthinkable, that we’re, but we’re realistic about it, we smart (18:29) money, that we move to be able to create experiences and take care of our employees and look to serve (18:34) our nation and continue to ensure that they thrive, so, and it’s a balancing act, you know.

Melissa

(18:42) And I love that, I think that’s a really good way to, you know, our jobs are to drop the ladder down (18:49) to the people that come behind us and to bring them up and to teach them and to show them the (18:54) right way to do things and to educate them and kind of to your earlier point, you know, school is (19:00) school, like getting out there and making a difference and learning from your mistakes and (19:05) bringing people along with you and building community and, you know, appreciating the people (19:10) around you, not only just the people, but, you know, where you work, the culture of the place (19:16) that you work, the environment I see, you know, a lot of people don’t treat our environment well, (19:22) and the casinos aren’t just casinos, they’re, you know, the revenues go to, you know, schools (19:28) and healthcare and to the communities and they have this kind of cascade effect from generation (19:36) to generation to generation and, you know, I think about my own leadership and how I want to lead (19:44) people and I’ve always been someone that wants to drop the ladder behind and bring the next, (19:49) you know, pass the batons to the next leader and teach them and kind of where you were saying about (19:54) the beginning, you started, you know, and did a lot of different things, you were a Swiss army (19:58) knife, trying all different things, learning, you know, putting more tools in your toolbox and so (20:03) for leaders that want to aspire to be like you, leading, you know, mega properties and, you know, (20:10) I would call you one of the most influential leaders in gaming today and for those younger (20:17) generations that are looking and say, I want to be like that guy, what would you tell them?

Dominic

(20:21) Man, you know, opportunity loves hard work, so never give up, believe in yourself, (20:28) keep your prayers strong, take care of yourself, you know, my elders will always (20:33) say, know how hard this is, but you need to stop and make sure and take care of yourself (20:36) because if you can’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of anybody else, so I need you to (20:42) take care of yourself, so they’ll stop you and do that, so, you know, I think the advice is, you (20:47) know, this road’s never easy, our nations depend on it and that’s, our leaders take that too, so (20:52) you’re going to have to carry that torch and be strong, always try and stay on the right things, (20:58) you know, keep the nation in mind and look, how do I make long-term success and short-term success, (21:03) I never was about chasing money for me, I just, you know, I wanted an opportunity to work with (21:08) tribes, I wanted an opportunity to be successful, I never thought about it like that, I just (21:12) kept working hard, seeing what opportunities come, continuing to learn and grow from each project (21:17) and, you know, when the chairs stop, make sure you got a seat, you know, and there’s opportunities (21:22) out there, this is a big industry, it’s growing, learn as much as you can because when you get to (21:27) this big facility, you got to manage all faucets, right, and I came in here for a turnaround with (21:33) this property that had been shut down, we put 200 million and innovated and built the brand back to (21:38) what we see today in a short amount of time and opened up number one retail sports book in the (21:42) country and now I’m lobbying, which I never intended to do, to garnish, to build our sovereignty, (21:47) to bring this because that’s what the nation in the future, I’m like, this is what affecting our (21:51) business and this is a strategy, it’s a big lift but let’s have a big vision, let’s respect tribal (21:57) sovereignty, let’s keep money in the state that and what we have been successful for years and (22:03) recirculate an economy over, you know, probably 20 plus thousand jobs that these 11 tribes have (22:08) in these rural communities, man, and their predictions are coming in and taking a cut (22:12) and not paying any tax to anybody or anything about on the compact so it’s like when they’re (22:16) just like, oh, well, you know, I get it, you know, disruption is the way of the world, grow or die, (22:21) I get it but, you know, so we have to fight on our own fronts and do everything that we can to do so (22:26) in that long story, I’d tell you, man, your road’s going to be up, down, it’s going to be rough, (22:32) stay positive, fight for what you believe in and, you know, if you don’t feel that you’re fit for (22:39) that organization, that organization is not respecting you either, then you got to come (22:44) to that road, you know, you got to come to that road and believe in yourself and gain everything (22:50) you did, put it together and get ready for the next opportunity and take everything you got and (22:55) go for it because, you know, packing up and moving across the country for jobs ain’t for everybody, (22:59) you know, I’m saying because if you like, you know, this is a tough journey, could be a lonely road (23:04) and you’re going to put a lot at risk and you’re going to a new job to take on challenges that, (23:09) you know, you were built for and you’re ready for but are certainly filled with risk but there’s no (23:15) reward without risk and I can’t tell you how much I’ve risked to be where I am today and invested (23:20) in my career and just believe to get here so and that’s a true story, I wish it was a lighter road (23:26) or something peachier but at the end of the day, man, I had to put it all on the line multiple (23:31) times and just go for it and believe in it.

Melissa

(23:33) I love that you brought that up, from the outside (23:36) it always looks like you’re in joy, joy, joy, joy, you’re just following your gut, following your (23:42) intuition, thinking about what’s next, how you can make a bigger impact and I think kind of to (23:49) your point, you know, I’ve interviewed hundreds of leaders to date and they all say exactly what (23:58) you said, they put it on the line, they followed their gut, you know, they didn’t stay in something (24:03) that felt cushy and safe, they kept challenging themselves, they kept putting it on the line (24:08) and kept aligning themselves and optimizing for where they wanted to go and I think there’s so (24:14) truth in everything that you say and so much heart too, I think that’s another, you know, (24:20) thing I love about working with tribal nations is the heart that’s in all that you guys do, (24:26) it’s just a lot of heart, it’s a lot of love, it’s a lot of respect, so what are you optimizing for (24:32) today, like if looking out like what’s next, what’s next, what are you optimizing for Dominic? (24:37) This episode is brought to you by Summit Ventures, if you’re an accredited investor, (24:45) Summit gives you access to one of the greatest tax advantage opportunities, direct ownership (24:51) in oil and gas, their projects deliver what they call the triple play, cash flow, equity growth and (24:59) powerful tax benefits and here’s the best part, these investments qualify for 1031 exchanges, (25:08) that means you can roll gains from real estate into energy while deferring capital gains, (25:14) to learn more and get a free white paper, oil and gas demystified, just visit www.summitven.com (25:25) forward slash executive connect.

Dominic

(25:29) Yeah, you know, the opportunities out there as we (25:33) try and figure out how we can create a better experience, you know, it ain’t just about (25:39) efficiency, you know, I love it and saying that it’s all good, but no, what is going to create (25:43) and drive the experience for the guests, what do they love, how do I get more in touch, when I’m (25:48) talking about optimizing, I want to know what my core clients really enjoy, what can I do more of, (25:53) how do I exceed their expectations, so for me, that whole optimization and we can go vertical (25:59) integration down the line from kiosk to soup to nuts, from your call center down the T, but at (26:04) the end of the day, that entire journey of that customer and the experience, my culture and my (26:08) team is about, you know, building that next level, about creating that excitement to bring them back (26:14) that they had had a fun, safe entertainment that we, you know, we were able to, you know, (26:21) touch their soul that we brought entertainment and excitement and promotion that you love, the (26:26) foods that you love, we keep it fresh and that’s a full-time job, my team out here, (26:32) hats off to everybody here, F&B, marketing, slots, all them and they, once the team starts working (26:38) together and they believe in that culture that we’re here to every time to make a better experience (26:42) and we’re fighting to do that, it’s amazing what that does and when people see you deliver and do (26:48) it and treat everybody like that, they start getting on board and you’re like, I don’t want no (26:51) walls, you know, there should be meetings that we’re talking, if you find something that we (26:55) can do better, it should be, you know, that there shouldn’t be any, we should be able to collaborate (27:00) and talk no matter which department or where it’s at, at the end of the day, it’s all about just (27:05) maybe it’s a better experience for my employee, you know, maybe, you know, then let’s just focus (27:09) on that and what is it going to do to get that as if for the guests, so for me, certainly (27:15) focusing on bringing a new statewide mobile gaming vertical to the nation, you know, we’re number one (27:21) retail sports book, we’re getting into entertainment, we’re optimizing that here on the property, so (27:26) look for us big, you’ll have to come back and have this after next year when you see what we’re (27:30) going to do and release, I think.

Melissa

(27:31) I can’t wait, I can’t wait, it’s been a great journey and so when your time is done leading Potawatomi to the next level, the next level, what do you hope your legacy will be?

Dominic

(27:42) Yeah, you know, that this tribe, the next generation will remember me, that I can (27:51) come back and come back to the community, I can see people, I can see this place and for me it was (27:55) that, you know, because my family and my relatives know I’m up here from Potawatomi, you know, so I (28:03) want to make sure and I want to do right by them, so for my legacy, I wanted them to feel that (28:10) I fought hard to put the nation in a forward spot, that I prepared them as a visionary leader to, (28:17) for the future that has come and I’ve built them a base that they can count on for the next 10 to (28:21) 20 years, you know, for me to see that, I think, legacy to be remembered with the success, the (28:29) excitement, but you know, that’s not just about casino glitz and glamour, that’s real roots, (28:34) grass, that the community got better, whether it was through language, health, or community, (28:40) or housing, or another way, so for me it was two parts there.

Melissa

(28:43) I love it, it’s so great, what a great way to end. (28:46) Any final thoughts or anything that you want to leave or chat about with that we didn’t touch on?

Dominic

(28:54) You know, I love your aspect on tribal gaming, you know, I got the chance with (28:58) you, I enjoyed your leadership, I truly felt that you were authentic and putting yourself out there (29:04) in the podcast, and the leadership, and the groups, and you’re connecting people, and I (29:09) genuinely appreciated that, I feel like you respect and understand Indian gaming, and that (29:16) you’re out here to be a true partner, and you know, so for me, I think individuals like you that are (29:21) out there to help us navigate is phenomenal, and I wish you even more success, and I’m glad you’re (29:28) here to help Ottawa to me.

Melissa

(29:30) Oh, you’re so kind, I think, you know, just to echo off that, I think (29:34) community is everything, we can’t do anything alone, and we’re all so connected, and I think (29:38) the tribes knew that before, you know, when we talk a lot about it nowadays, community, we’re all (29:44) one, the tribes knew that years ago, one with nature, one with each other, one with the land, (29:49) and I think there’s so much we can all take from the tribes, and I truly am grateful and thankful (29:56) that I work in this industry every single day, if you would have told me 15 years ago, I’d be (30:01) working in tribal gaming, I don’t know if I would have agreed to that, but it tribal gaming has (30:06) touched my soul on a totally different level that I don’t think I’ll ever be out of it, and so thank (30:12) you for spending time, you’re a busy man, and I look forward to see what’s next for Pottawatomie.

Dominic

(30:18) Thank you, Melissa, love it.