Suresh Geer has been hired to lead the national tribal consulting practice at Wipfli LLP, a Top 20 national accounting firm. Previously, Geer served in financial leadership roles with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, where he was executive director of finance and chief financial officer for the past eight years.
As leader of Wipfli’s tribal consulting practice, Geer will lead a nationwide team assisting tribal clients in finance, technology and organizational strategy. Geer stated, “I was part of some trailblazing achievements for the Seminole Tribe, and now I’m in a position to help other tribes reach their own milestone goals. Wipfli built a legacy in serving Indian Country, and I’m motivated by the opportunity to further that work.”
Geer, a 21-year veteran of tribal finance and governance, was the Seminole Tribe’s finance director of government operations when the tribe acquired Hard Rock International in 2006. The $965 million acquisition was one of the largest purchases ever made by a Native American tribe.
Geer also was involved in raising capital of more than $1 billion in tribal business and government construction projects, and was instrumental in establishing sovereign wealth and real estate investment funds. In addition, Geer managed financial and strategic plans that saved the tribe more than $110 million in fees and interest and established a tax department resulting in a potential $10 million in revenue.
Geer will succeed Joseph Eve as he transitions to retirement in 2022. Geer stated, “Coming from his work with the Seminole Tribe, Suresh brings this incredibly rich depth of experience. He is the right leader for us at this inflection point, ensuring Wipfli remains the consultant of choice for tribal governments, with visionary enterprise and strategic goals.”
