MGM Resorts International announced today that Chief Operating Officer Corey Sanders is set to retire after more than 30 years with the company. Sanders has agreed to remain COO through Dec. 31 and to serve as an advisor to the president and CEO through Dec. 31, 2026. The company intends to name a new COO to serve as Sanders' successor later this month.
“It's impossible to overstate what Corey has meant to this company over the last 30-plus years,” Bill Hornbuckle, president & CEO of MGM Resorts, said in a statement. “He has been a constant presence, providing foundational leadership for all the key moments that have defined our history—from our acquisitions of Mirage Group and Mandalay Resort Group to our regional property openings and expansions like Springfield, National Harbor, Empire City and Borgata. More importantly, Corey helped us put all the different pieces together to create one company and one culture. As a leader and as a person, Corey understood the importance of caring for employees and treating people with respect. He will be deeply missed."
As COO, Sanders oversees the company's Las Vegas and regional properties as well as multiple corporate departments, including hospitality, gaming, human resources and strategic initiatives. Before this role, he was the company's chief financial officer and treasurer. In his tenure with MGM Resorts, Sanders has also been chief operating officer for the company's core brands, executive vice president of operations for MGM Mirage, executive vice president and chief financial officer for MGM Grand Resorts, executive vice president and CFO for MGM Grand and assistant vice president of corporate finance and tax director for MGM Grand.
Sanders earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from UCLA.