As a Fellow of Chartered Professional Accountant (FCPA) and Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager (CAFM), Rick Morano has served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Chippewas of Rama First Nation since April 1997.

As CFO, he oversees the financial reporting for Rama First Nation and all of Rama’s business-related enterprises which includes the information systems, information management, purchasing, capital planning. As CFO, he also reviews all business plans received by the First Nation, and if it is decided to move forward with the business, then advise Chief and Council when negotiating terms for the investments into business. Another area that is his responsibility is overseeing the portfolio investment strategy for the long term investments for the different funds for Rama First Nation. 

Mr. Morano acts as an advisor to Chief and Council and liaison with the many levels of government. He is involved in most of the negotiations for Rama First Nation, and is an essential part of Rama’s Senior Executive Team.

Mr. Morano has been involved in a number of projects over the last 30 years.  Some of his early projects include the establishment of an Elementary School on the First Nation, the negotiation of the Reverse Tuition Agreement with the local school board, the development of a Housing Collateral Loan Fund for the membership, the financing of the expansion project at Casino Rama, the financing of the St. Eugene Golf Resort and Casino in British Columbia, the negotiation of the Post 2011 Contract relating to Casino Rama, and the development of the Community Financial Advisor Program and Policy for Rama First Nation members.

Mr. Morano has sat on many Boards of Directors, starting with the Orillia Minor Hockey Association where he was the Vice President, Rambots Construction LLP where he was the Vice President of Finance, St. Eugene Mission Limited Partnership where he was the Alternative Director, Orillia Soldiers Memorial Foundation where he was the Treasurer, and currently is a Director on My Lucky Spot Entertainment Inc., Rama Office Interiors LP, Cedar Leaf Capital Inc. and WTFN Investment Holdings LP.

Mr. Morano was also the 2005 recipient of the “Excellence in Leadership Award” presented by the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association and Xerox Canada Ltd.   

Rama First Nation was the 2023 recipient of the “Excellence in Governance and Leadership Award” presented by the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association and MNP Canada Ltd. Mr. Morano was asked to accept the award for Rama First Nation at the award ceremony based on his contributions, good governance, processes and practices which were foundational for the award.