Former MGM CEO Jim Murren Heads Nevada's Coronavirus Task ForceMurren Was Appointed By Gov. Steve Sisolak For Worldwide Business Contacts And Relationship With Vice President Pence |
|
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak announced Sunday afternoon that former MGM Resorts CEO and Chairman Jim Murren would head his newly created task force to continue to help curb the spread of coronavirus.
Murren announced that he would step down from his role as CEO of the company last February but said that he would continue to serve the company until a successor was named.
With Murren’s official departure, MGM’s COO and President Bill Hornbuckle was named acting CEO of the casino giant. Board member Paul Salem will take over Murren’s duties as Chairman until a new hire is made.
Currently, all MGM properties nationwide are temporarily closed in reaction to the spread of the virus. At the time of writing, there are 46,450 confirmed cases of COVID-19 nationwide and 261 in the Silver State. There have been two reported deaths in Nevada thus far.
Last Tuesday, Sisolak declared Nevada in a state of emergency. He forced all “nonessential” businesses to close for at least 30 days, which forced all casinos to cease operations for the first time in state history and left the Las Vegas Strip a ghost town.
According to the local Fox affiliate in Las Vegas, Sisolak cited both Murren’s contacts in Asia and the Middle East from past business ventures and a relationship with Vice President Mike Pence as reasons for the appointment.
“It’s going to take all of us working together to battle COVID-19 in our State and around the country, and I’m thankful we have an ally in Jim Murren who will help enhance and expand our response, relief and recovery efforts,” said Sisolak at Sunday’s press conference.
The position is an unpaid, voluntary role.
Copyright © 2001-2024
CardPlayer.com. All rights reserved.
