April 5, 2022 — A 15.6-billion-dollar overall economic impact in Oklahoma. 113,442 jobs supported. 86 million state dollars saved. These numbers are eye-opening.
The Oklahoma Native Economic Impact Report cited these numbers, and many more, to illustrate the ongoing value tribal communities bring to their home state. Collectively, tribal nations in Oklahoma are the second largest employer in the state, second only to the Department of Defense. The Oklahoma Tribal Finance Consortium (OTFC) sponsored the independent study which captures the substantial value and investment that tribal nations have in Oklahoma.
“I’m excited to see the report show what I intuitively knew…” said Victor Flores, MBA, MHA, and President at the OTFC. “That tribes are a significant economic driver in Oklahoma, and that the ways in which we reinvest in our communities are proving effective and rewarding. When Oklahomans hear that tribal economic impact has increased by 44% in 8 years—with the majority of that activity occurring in the last 2 years— that opens the door to new partnerships and alliances.”
Victor Flores is also Director of Oklahoma Tribal services at REDW —a certified public accounting and business advisory firm and a national leader serving tribes for over 40 years, with offices in Oklahoma, Arizona, and New Mexico. In 2017, in collaboration with the Native American Financial Officers Association (NAFOA), Flores founded the non-profit OTFC, bringing together all 38 federally recognized tribal nations headquartered in Oklahoma to bolster economic development.
The OTFC also partnered with the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business to create a Tribal Finance Certificate Program that educates tribal leadership, board members, officers, and employees on the many unique aspects of tribal accounting and finance.
In his ongoing efforts to educate and elevate the community, Victor Flores knows that numbers tell a story — and conveying the substantial, sustainable impact of Indian Country to Oklahoma’s economy is something he is compelled to do.
“I want to thank Victor for his outstanding leadership serving Indian Country in Oklahoma, both in his role at REDW and as President of the Oklahoma Tribal Finance Consortium. His intimate awareness of the needs of the community is the foundation that guides him and makes him a true advocate for the tribal nations of Oklahoma. We are exceedingly proud to have him on our team.”
Steve Cogan, CPA
Managing Principal, REDW
