MGM National Harbor Names Kerry R. Watson, Jr. Vice President of Government Affairs
Prince George’s County native to lead policy and government relations strategy for Maryland’s new destination resort casino
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (JANUARY 11, 2017) – MGM National Harbor, the new luxury destination resort casino, has named Kerry Russell Watson, Jr. as Vice President of Government Affairs. Mr. Watson joined the company on January 2 to oversee government relations with state and local elected officials in Maryland, and to manage the legislative agenda in the state for parent company MGM Resorts International [NYSE: MGM].
With this appointment, MGM National Harbor further strengthens its senior management team, and deepens its commitment to hiring talented leaders with roots in Prince George’s County. Mr. Watson has spent 10 years in government affairs positions, and has cultivated diverse experience across the public and private sector. Throughout his career, he has been well regarded as a senior advisor and effective strategist, policymaker and relationship builder with elected officials, constituents and organizations.
“We are pleased to have such a seasoned government affairs expert join the MGM team. Kerry has dedicated many years to being a successful collaborator within and on behalf of the County, and we are confident that his talents will serve our organization well,” said Michael Pappas, Vice President and General Counsel, MGM National Harbor.
Mr. Watson recently served as a Government Relations Consultant at Alexander & Cleaver. Previously, he had a distinguished career of more than 20 years working in government and law enforcement in Prince George’s County, Md. including as a Senior Advisor in the County Executive’s Office, Executive Board Officer and 2nd Vice President for the Fraternal Order of Police and serving as an officer and training instructor in the Police Department.
Mr. Watson has maintained lifelong ties to the community, and proudly has been a part of its evolution by championing economic development and community engagement. Since 2015, he has served on the Advisory Board of Path to Greatness, Inc., a local charitable organization that supports nonprofits by inspiring citizens to engage in volunteerism and philanthropy. He graduated from University of Maryland University College. Mr. Watson is passionate about enjoying time with his family and capturing the beauty of the Capital Region through photography.
Media Contact:
Suzette Meade
mediarelations@mgmnationalharbor.com
(301) 971-6111
About MGM National Harbor:
The newest addition to the MGM Resorts International portfolio, MGM National Harbor’s unrivaled setting offers stunning panoramic views of the eastern shore of the Potomac River in Maryland. The $1.4 billion resort sits a short distance from Washington, D.C. to the north and historic sites, including George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate across the river in Virginia. The 24-story, 308-room resort will feature premier amenities and experiences for locals as well as visitors from around the world including a dynamic casino with over 125,000 square feet of space that includes slots, table games and poker; a world-class spa and salon; an entertainment theater with flexible seating for up to 3,000; high-end branded retail; 50,000 square feet of meeting space; and restaurants from renowned local, national and international chefs.
About MGM Resorts International:
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world’s leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. The Company is in the process of developing MGM National Harbor in Maryland and MGM Springfield in Massachusetts. MGM Resorts controls, and holds a 76 percent economic interest in the operating partnership of MGM Growth Properties LLC (NYSE: MGP), a premier triple-net lease real estate investment trust engaged in the acquisition, ownership and leasing of large-scale destination entertainment and leisure resorts. The Company also owns 56 percent of MGM China Holdings Limited (HK: 2282), which owns the MGM Macau resort and casino and is developing a gaming resort in Cotai, and 50 percent of CityCenter in Las Vegas, which features ARIA Resort & Casino. MGM Resorts is named among FORTUNE® Magazine’s 2016 list of World’s Most Admired Companies®. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company’s website at www.mgmresorts.com.
With this appointment, MGM National Harbor further strengthens its senior management team, and deepens its commitment to hiring talented leaders with roots in Prince George’s County. Mr. Watson has spent 10 years in government affairs positions, and has cultivated diverse experience across the public and private sector. Throughout his career, he has been well regarded as a senior advisor and effective strategist, policymaker and relationship builder with elected officials, constituents and organizations.
“We are pleased to have such a seasoned government affairs expert join the MGM team. Kerry has dedicated many years to being a successful collaborator within and on behalf of the County, and we are confident that his talents will serve our organization well,” said Michael Pappas, Vice President and General Counsel, MGM National Harbor.
Mr. Watson recently served as a Government Relations Consultant at Alexander & Cleaver. Previously, he had a distinguished career of more than 20 years working in government and law enforcement in Prince George’s County, Md. including as a Senior Advisor in the County Executive’s Office, Executive Board Officer and 2nd Vice President for the Fraternal Order of Police and serving as an officer and training instructor in the Police Department.
Mr. Watson has maintained lifelong ties to the community, and proudly has been a part of its evolution by championing economic development and community engagement. Since 2015, he has served on the Advisory Board of Path to Greatness, Inc., a local charitable organization that supports nonprofits by inspiring citizens to engage in volunteerism and philanthropy. He graduated from University of Maryland University College. Mr. Watson is passionate about enjoying time with his family and capturing the beauty of the Capital Region through photography.
For more information and photographs of MGM National Harbor, please visit newsroom.mgmnationalharbor.com.
Media Contact:
Suzette Meade
mediarelations@mgmnationalharbor.com
(301) 971-6111
About MGM National Harbor:
The newest addition to the MGM Resorts International portfolio, MGM National Harbor’s unrivaled setting offers stunning panoramic views of the eastern shore of the Potomac River in Maryland. The $1.4 billion resort sits a short distance from Washington, D.C. to the north and historic sites, including George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate across the river in Virginia. The 24-story, 308-room resort will feature premier amenities and experiences for locals as well as visitors from around the world including a dynamic casino with over 125,000 square feet of space that includes slots, table games and poker; a world-class spa and salon; an entertainment theater with flexible seating for up to 3,000; high-end branded retail; 50,000 square feet of meeting space; and restaurants from renowned local, national and international chefs.
About MGM Resorts International:
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world’s leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. The Company is in the process of developing MGM National Harbor in Maryland and MGM Springfield in Massachusetts. MGM Resorts controls, and holds a 76 percent economic interest in the operating partnership of MGM Growth Properties LLC (NYSE: MGP), a premier triple-net lease real estate investment trust engaged in the acquisition, ownership and leasing of large-scale destination entertainment and leisure resorts. The Company also owns 56 percent of MGM China Holdings Limited (HK: 2282), which owns the MGM Macau resort and casino and is developing a gaming resort in Cotai, and 50 percent of CityCenter in Las Vegas, which features ARIA Resort & Casino. MGM Resorts is named among FORTUNE® Magazine’s 2016 list of World’s Most Admired Companies®. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company’s website at www.mgmresorts.com.