Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

business:

MGM fills No. 2 spot, announces senior management changes

Corey Sanders

Corey Sanders

Gamal Aziz

Gamal Aziz

Scott Sibella

Scott Sibella

Felix Rappaport

Felix Rappaport

Renee West

Renee West

Chuck Bowling

Chuck Bowling

MGM Resorts International announced several senior management changes today, including the promotion of a longtime executive to the company’s No. 2 post.

The company’s board of directors has promoted Corey Sanders, a 16-year gaming veteran with MGM Resorts, to chief operating officer of the company. Prior to the promotion, Sanders served as COO of MGM Resorts’ core brand properties and also held the position of chief financial officer of MGM Grand and executive vice president of operations.

MGM Resorts has been without a chief operating officer for nearly two years since then-COO Jim Murren stepped into the role of chairman and chief executive when Terri Lanni retired in November 2008.

In addition to Sanders’ promotion, the board promoted Gamal Aziz to president and chief executive officer of MGM Resorts International so he can solely focus on expanding the company internationally, the company said.

The casino operator is acquiring the management of hotel developments in Vietnam, Dubai and Egypt through a subsidiary. The business plan calls for MGM Resorts Hospitality to acquire the management of 42 hotels around the world in the next 10 years.

Aziz has served in a dual role since the hospitality division began in May 2007, leading the subsidiary and continuing his responsibilities as president of MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“This is very exciting news for our company at many levels, not the least of which is that everyone involved is already part of the team. This is certainly proof of the amazing bench strength of this company,” spokesman Alan Feldman told the Sun.

MGM Resorts also announced the shuffling of several Las Vegas property executives.

Mirage President Scott Sibella will be relieving Aziz of his role at MGM Grand, moving into the president and chief operating officer spot. Felix Rappaport, former president of Luxor and Excalibur, has been named president of the Mirage.

Former Mandalay Bay President Renee West will move to the Luxor and Excalibur as president, and Chuck Bowling, the former executive vice president of sales and marketing, has been named president of Mandalay Bay.

The company also announced changes outside of Las Vegas.

MGM Resorts also announced that George Corchis, the current president of the company’s Mississippi operations, has been promoted to president of MGM Resorts' regional properties. MGM Grand Senior Vice President of Marketing Steve Zanella will take over as the general manager of MGM Grand Detroit.

John Shigely, currently the executive vice president of MGM Grand, has been tapped to spearhead MGM Resorts’ gaming interests in Asia, primarily in Macau.

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