MGM Resorts Names Ayesha Molino COO and Gary Fritz Chief Commercial Officer
MGM Resorts International has announced two major leadership appointments: Ayesha Molino will take over as Chief Operating Officer on January 1, 2026, while Gary Fritz assumes the newly created role of Chief Commercial Officer and President of MGM Digital effective immediately.
Molino to succeed Sanders as COO
Molino’s promotion follows the planned retirement of Corey Sanders, a 30-year veteran of MGM Resorts who will step down at the end of 2025. Sanders has held nearly every key finance and operations role within the company and was most recently responsible for overseeing MGM’s Las Vegas and regional portfolios. His departure closes a long chapter of leadership continuity.
Molino, who currently serves as President and COO of ARIA and Vdara, will step into the broader corporate COO role with a proven track record of operational success.
Under her leadership, ARIA achieved record results across EBITDAR, annual revenue, hotel and casino performance, ADR, and guest satisfaction metrics. Bill Hornbuckle, President and CEO of MGM Resorts, called Molino “an exceptionally gifted strategic thinker and operator” and highlighted her ability to unite teams and navigate complex challenges.
Her background is unique among Strip executives. Before joining MGM in 2017, Molino served as Chief Counsel to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, developing political expertise that later informed her role as MGM’s Chief Public Affairs Officer. She remains deeply involved in industry representation as a board member of MGM China, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, and the Nevada Resort Association.
Fritz to drive digital and commercial integration
While Molino prepares to take on property operations, Gary Fritz has been elevated to Chief Commercial Officer and President of MGM Digital. His remit goes beyond online gaming, as the role consolidates digital initiatives with MGM’s gaming, marketing, and advertising divisions. The company described the change as a step toward accelerating its omni-channel strategy.
Fritz already sits on the boards of BetMGM and LeoVegas, two of MGM’s key digital arms. He has been instrumental in expanding BetMGM internationally, including into Brazil, and in developing acquisition and partnership strategies. Hornbuckle praised him as a “visionary leader” with the ability to bring together digital and land-based assets in ways that drive growth across both channels.
Fritz’s career before MGM included leadership roles at Expedia, McKinsey & Company, and IAC. He holds an MBA from MIT and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
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