MGM Resorts International has named long-time executive Bill Hornbuckle acting CEO and president, replacing outgoing chairman and CEO Jim Murren.
Bill Hornbuckle
A four-decade veteran of the gaming industry, Hornbuckle previously served as MGM's president and COO. Prior to that he was chief marketing officer from 2009 to 2012. He also has served as president and COO of Mandalay Bay, MGM Resorts International-Europe, MGM Grand, Caesars Palace and Golden Nugget Laughlin and was vice president of hotel operations for the Mirage when it opened in 1989.
"We have an incredible challenge ahead," Hornbuckle said. "We have a talented leadership team, the best employees in the world and a loyal customer base. I have every confidence that MGM Resorts will remain the global entertainment leader once this crisis is contained and it is safe to operate."
Murren, who told the company's board of directors in early February of his plans to step down, vacated the position March 22 to provide continuity of leadership for the company. Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak named Murren to head the Covid-19 Response Relief and Recovery task force, a public-private partnership to harness resources. Murren joined MGM as CFO and a member of its board of directors in 1998.
Replacing Murren as the chair of the board of directors will be Paul Salem, currently a member of the board and chair of the real estate committee of MGM Resorts.
"The nation is facing an unprecedented crisis, causing the travel and hospitality industry to grind to a near halt," Salem said. "It is clear that once the threat to the public health has subsided and we are ready to reopen our resorts and casinos, it will take an incredible effort to ramp back up."