MGM Resorts International Announces Regional Leadership Changes

BILOXI, Mo., TUNICA, Miss. and DETROIT, Mich., Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) has announced the appointment of George P. Corchis, Jr. to the newly created position of President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Regional Operations for MGM Resorts International.  

In his new position, Mr. Corchis has assumed responsibility for managing the strategic direction of MGM Grand Detroit while maintaining responsibility for overseeing Beau Rivage in Biloxi and Gold Strike in Tunica, Mississippi. He most recently served as President and COO of the Company's two Mississippi properties.

"George has done an outstanding job with both Beau Rivage and Gold Strike in Mississippi.  His experience in operating and marketing regional casinos will work well in synergizing our Detroit property," said Jim Murren, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, MGM Resorts International, parent company of all three properties.

The Company has also promoted Steve Zanella to the position of General Manager of MGM Grand Detroit.

In his new position, he is responsible for daily operations and oversight of Michigan's premier hotel and entertainment destination.  

Mr. Zanella will assume the former operational responsibilities of MGM Detroit President and Chief Operating Officer Lorenzo Creighton, who resigned to become CEO of a Vancouver-based gaming company.

He was formerly Senior Vice President of Marketing at MGM Grand Las Vegas, and has worked in various positions for MGM Resorts for the past 19 years.  

"Steve has an extensive background in marketing, slot operations and has served in several leadership roles on various corporate committees.  Steve is one of the best examples of the depth of talent we have nurtured in our management ranks," said Mr. Murren.

Mr. Corchis originally joined the Company in 1993 as part of the finance department of The Mirage Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. He went on to join Binion's Horseshoe in 1994 where he quickly attained key management positions during a successful 11-year tenure.  Mr. Corchis is the only executive to serve in primary leadership positions at each of the three Horseshoe properties outside Nevada.  He also served in a dual role for Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Horseshoe Casino & Hotel and the Sheraton Casino & Hotel, both in Tunica, Miss.

Mr. Corchis earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Honors Business Administration from the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada.

Mr. Zanella joined the Company in 1991 as a participant of the corporate Management Associate Program, a hands-on training course for college graduates.  After two years in finance-related positions, he was promoted to Domestic Marketing Administrator of Table Games Marketing for The Mirage.  From there, he traveled to Beau Rivage to serve as Director of Slot Marketing and Player Development in 1998.  He was promoted to Vice President of Slots two years later, before returning to Las Vegas and his first position with MGM Grand Las Vegas in 2001.

Mr. Zanella has a bachelor's degree in Hotel Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he graduated with high honors.

MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a peerless portfolio of destination resort brands, including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage.  The Company has significant holdings in gaming, hospitality and entertainment, owns and operates 15 properties located in Nevada, Mississippi and Michigan, and has 50% investments in four other properties in Nevada, Illinois and Macau. One of those investments is CityCenter, an unprecedented urban resort destination on the Las Vegas Strip featuring its centerpiece ARIA Resort & Casino.  Through its hospitality management subsidiary, the Company holds a growing number of development and management agreements for casino and non-casino resort projects around the world.  MGM Resorts International supports responsible gaming and has implemented the American Gaming Association's Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming at its gaming properties. The Company has been honored with numerous awards and recognitions for its industry-leading Diversity Initiative, its community philanthropy programs and the Company's commitment to sustainable development and operations.  For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's Web site at www.mgmresorts.com. 

Statements in this release which are not historical facts are "forward looking" statements and "safe harbor statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the U.S. the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and other related laws that involve risks and/or uncertainties, including risks and/or uncertainties as described in the company's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  We have based those forward-looking statements on management's current expectations and assumptions and not on historical facts.  In providing forward-looking statements, the Company is not undertaking any duty or obligation to update these statements publicly as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by law.

SOURCE MGM Resorts International