MGM National Harbor taps former marketing chief as president and COO

MGM National Harbor has appointed Chris Gumiela as president and chief operating officer, returning him to the Maryland resort after several years overseeing digital operations for MGM Resorts.

On Monday, it was announced that Gumiela would succeed Melonie Johnson, who has retired. He will lead the resort’s day-to-day operations and set its strategic direction, with employee engagement and community relations identified by the company as priorities.

“I’m thrilled to be back in the DMV and look forward to expanding the ways MGM National Harbor serves as an entertainment capital for our region and a pillar in community engagement for Prince George’s County,” Gumiela said.

A shared history

Gumiela previously served as the resort’s vice-president of marketing from August 2017 to July 2020, shortly after it opened. MGM said he helped establish the property’s brand and develop civic and community partnerships. 

The company also credited his tenure with contributing to nearly $1 billion in property-wide revenue.

Since 2021, Gumiela has been senior vice-president of interactive operations at MGM Resorts, working to coordinate the company’s digital BetMGM business with its land-based resorts. 

He has also served on the steering committee for LeoVegas, the online gaming company acquired by MGM Resorts in 2022, and joined MGM’s Capital Committee in 2026.

Earlier in his career, Gumiela was vice-president of marketing and advertising for MGM’s regional portfolio, overseeing strategy and operational efficiencies at National Harbor and Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City.

He joined MGM Resorts in 2006 through its Management Associate Programme, undertaking cross-functional training at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. 

He later held roles in slot marketing, casino marketing, corporate marketing operations and brand strategy at Monte Carlo Resort & Casino, now Park MGM.

A wider attempt at restructure 

The executive change comes only a few weeks after MGM confirmed they would not be acquiring Barry Diller’s People Inc, the largest shareholder in MGM.

MGM received an offer from People on 1 June to buy out the 74% of shares it doesn’t already own. Ultimately, People rescinded the offer on 23 September and reports emerged afterward that MGM could acquire People instead. That is no longer a possibility, MGM CEO Bill Hornbuckle told analysts in October. 

In Q3, MGM posted $4.2 billion in group revenue, a 1% decrease year-over-year, while group adjusted EBITDA slid 20% YoY to $403 million .