MGM Resorts International has announced the appointment of Jonathan Halkyard as CFO for the global gaming, hospitality and entertainment organization. A senior corporate executive who spent 13 years in leadership roles at Caesars Entertainment, he was more recently the President and CEO of Extended Stay America Inc and ESH Hospitality, its paired-share REIT. 

He will report to Bill Hornbuckle, President and CEO, and succeeds Corey Sanders who was recently appointed COO of the company.

“Jonathan brings the right mix of financial discipline, investor acumen, operating experience and seasoned corporate leadership to MGM Resorts at a vital time in our evolution,” said Hornbuckle. “His passion for hospitality, considerable experience in gaming, previous stewardship of strong balance sheets and investor credibility make him an excellent choice to complement our strong and committed leadership team.”

As COO Halkyard will be a member of the senior management team and have responsibility for all financial activities across MGM Resorts’ extensive domestic and international portfolio, as well as investor relations, accounting, treasury, procurement and tax.

“On behalf of the MGM Board of Directors, I am delighted to welcome Jonathan to MGM Resorts,” said Paul Salem, Chairman of the Board. “We look forward to working with Jonathan to drive continued focus on disciplined execution of our strategic business plan, our long-term recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and future growth and development.”

“After a career largely spent in hospitality and gaming, I am excited and proud to become part of the senior leadership team at one of the world’s most iconic gaming, hospitality and entertainment destination brands,” said Halkyard. “We face the greatest challenges to corporate management in recent history and I am eager to get to work and continue the fine legacy of executive management at MGM Resorts.”

Throughout his career as a corporate executive with public company experience, Halkyard has held positions as CFO, COO and more recently CEO, in the gaming, hospitality and energy sectors.