MGM Resorts has named Steve Zanella, one of the company’s long-time Las Vegas executives, as its new President and COO of Japan Operations – responsible for ensuring the US$10 billion MGM Osaka integrated resort development meets expected world-class standards.
Zanella’s new position forms part of an extensive organizational restructure under which there have been multiple new appointments and promotions, including Ayesha Molino replacing outgoing Chief Operating Officer Corey Sanders.
Sean Lanni, who spent time with MGM Grand Macau during its early years, will expand his current role as President & COO of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas to include ARIA, Vdara and Park MGM.
The internal movements were announced to MGM staff via an internal memo from the company’s President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle, seen by Inside Asian Gaming.
Zanella, he explained, will relocate to Japan next year to lead the team through the construction and opening of MGM’s resort on Yumeshima Island in Osaka Bay.
“With construction underway in Japan, it’s critical we continue building our leadership team, starting at the top,” Hornbuckle said.
“This is a significant career move for Steve and, frankly, I couldn’t think of anyone more perfectly suited for the job. Steve is a trusted and highly respected leader who knows our company and our brand inside and out having been with MGM for more than 30 years, serving the company as President of Operations, Chief Commercial Officer, President & COO of CityCenter, and President & COO of MGM Grand Detroit.
“Steve will ensure our new property in Japan meets the elevated standard people expect from an MGM Resorts property, while also ensuring our brand supports the community, our employees, our partner ORIX, and other key stakeholders.”
Other internal deployments include Mike Neubecker, President & COO of MGM Grand, Excalibur, New York-New-York and Signature, expanding his scope by adding Mandalay Bay and Luxor to his purview.
“Going a layer deeper, we’ve made the decision to open four new General Manager roles in Las Vegas, with one General Manager each overseeing Bellagio, ARIA/Vdara, Park MGM and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas,” Hornbuckle explained.
“The Bellagio GM will report to Ayesha while the other three roles will report to Sean. We expect to fill these four roles internally and in short order given our incredible bench strength.”
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