Nate George

"Nathanial “Nate” W. George is the Director of Licensing & Investigations for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Tribal Gaming Regulatory Authority. In this role he is a highly experienced investigations and Licensing Division leader, managing a team of background investigators, specialists, manager and community liaison. Nathanial has successfully implemented effective investigations and licensing process improvements, shortening the overall time for completing background investigations and issuing licenses from 30+ days to just 3. He is a sought-after expert on conducting administrative hearings and compiling investigative reports making reliable regulatory recommendations, and maintains an impressive 98% favorable compliance ruling. He has extensive recruitment management experience, recognized for implementing standard-setting best practices and new initiatives that yielded significant results in both number of hires, reducing recurring open positions and shortening time-to-hire to 5 days.

He is also Mayor of Braham, MN, a small town of about 1,850 in East Central Minnesota. He has been instrumental in implementing significant changes in the city’s fiscal management processes and completely turning around a dire financial picture in just a year, resulting in the first-ever predicted budget surplus for the city. This included implementing new financial management software that streamlined transactions and increased transparency in spending, as well as improving the city’s fund balances from a negative to having a 50% cash reserve on-hand. He also secured over $13 million in first-ever funding to repair/replace aging infrastructure in order to improve the quality of water and sewer services for residents and replace crumbled roads.

Nathanial currently holds the rank of Master Sergeant and serves as a Staff Officer on the Pacific Air Forces Headquarters staff supporting high-level strategic planning operations. He is a decorated combat veteran, with over 19 years of service and counting in the United States Air Force Reserve. Nathanial is the recipient of over 20 service medals and decorations for his outstanding military service, as well as numerous awards for leadership excellence in both his military and civilian careers.

Nathanial always strives for professional development and has obtained numerous certifications in many fields, to include Merydyan Pryme System Administrator and Tribal Human Resources Professional. He is also a certified Firefighter, Paralegal and Medical First Responder, as well as previously holding an active Peace Officer License in the State of Minnesota. Nathanial is also a firm believer and supporter of community volunteerism and has served and chaired on several committees for economic development, Veterans services, and community involvement. He is the recipient of three college degrees and recently was awarded a Master in the Study of Law degree from Hamline University."