MGM Resorts Executive Steve Zanella to Lead Japanese Operations
MGM Resorts International has appointed Steve Zanella as the new President and COO for its Japanese division. He will be responsible for directing the multibillion-dollar integrated resort (IR) development underway in Osaka, ensuring that the project delivers the level of luxury and entertainment the company is known for globally.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:This leadership change is part of a larger corporate realignment that includes several other executive moves. Ayesha Molino will take over the role of COO from Corey Sanders, while Sean Lanni’s duties are being broadened. Lanni, who was part of the early team at MGM Grand Macau, will now also oversee ARIA, Vdara, and Park MGM alongside his current leadership of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
The updates were outlined in a company memo distributed by MGM President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle. In it, he confirmed that Zanella will move to Japan in the coming year to manage the IR during its construction and eventual launch. He emphasized that strong leadership is essential for MGM’s first Japanese IR and that Zanella’s experience makes him well suited to the task.
Over the course of three decades at MGM Resorts, Zanella has served in a variety of senior roles, including heading operations, overseeing commercial strategy, and leading both CityCenter and MGM Grand Detroit. His broad background across properties and functions has established him as a respected figure within the organization.
In addition to ensuring the Osaka property meets MGM’s global brand standards, Zanella will be expected to collaborate with local stakeholders, employees, and joint-venture partner ORIX, which shares ownership of the project. Once complete, the resort is set to become a major draw for visitors from across Japan and abroad, marking a significant step in MGM's Asian expansion.
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MGM Shaking Up the Executive Ranks
Zanella’s appointment is part of a wider series of leadership changes in Las Vegas. Mike Neubecker, currently responsible for MGM Grand, Excalibur, New York-New York, and Signature, will now also take charge of Mandalay Bay and Luxor.
Four new GM roles are also being created and the ARIA/Vdara, Bellagio, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Park MGM will each have their own leadership moving forward. The GM of Bellagio will report directly to Molino, and the other three executives will be under Lanni’s supervision. MGM intends to recruit for these posts from within its existing talent pool.
With Osaka under construction, the Japanese resort is viewed as a milestone project, and Zanella’s assignment signals the company’s determination to deliver a landmark property that matches its reputation for high-end hospitality and entertainment.
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