LAS VEGAS MGM Resorts International has named Corey Sanders its new chief operating officer and has promoted Gamal Aziz to president and CEO of its MGM Hospitality division.
Sanders recently served as COO for MGM’s core brand and regional properties. He has served as defacto COO since 2008, when former COO Jim Murren replaced Terry Lanni as CEO.
During his more than 16 years with the company, he has also served as chief financial officer of MGM Grand Las Vegas and MGM Grand Resorts, as well as executive vice president of operations.
Aziz has served in a dual capacity as head of MGM Hospitality and COO of MGM Grand Las Vegas since 2008, when MGM Hospitality was formed. He has previously served as senior vice president at Bellagio Las Vegas.
“The overwhelming response to the globalization of our high-end resort brands has driven the early success of MGM Hospitality and now requires Gamal’s full focus to shepherd this exciting and rapidly expanding global management business,” says Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts.
Leading MGM Hospitality, Aziz has expanded the company’s luxury hotel brands abroad by entering into 18 signed agreements. Announced pipeline projects are in Beijing, Sanya, Chengdu and Tianjin, China; Cairo and Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt; Abu Dhabi and Dubai; and Ho Tram, Vietnam. MGM Hospitality’s first scheduled opening is the MGM Grand Sanya on Hainan Island, set for late 2011.
In addition, the company is currently in active discussions for numerous projects around the world, including Australia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey and additional cities in the Middle East and China.