Hornbuckle grew up and attended college in Connecticut before leaving school to pursue a career in the hospitality industry. He moved to Las Vegas and completed his degree at UNLV. Hornbuckle has more than 30 years of experience working in Las Vegas which led to his current position for MGM Resorts International, one of the biggest companies in the hospitality and entertainment industry.
Career
Hornbuckle was appointed as CEO on July 29, 2020, in addition to his existing responsibilities as MGM's president. He had served as Acting CEO since March 2020, following the retirement of former CEO Jim Murren. He has served as President of MGM Resorts International since December 2012. In 2012 and 2013, Hornbuckle led the company’s efforts to develop MGM Springfield, an $800 million resort in downtown Springfield, Mass. In 2014, he named Michael Mathis as his successor to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer of MGM Springfield.
Leadership history
He was previously Chief Marketing Officer of MGM Resorts from 2009 until 2012. From 2005 until August 2009, Hornbuckle served as President and COO of Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. He previously had served as President and COO of MGM Resorts International-Europe, where he worked on the development of the company’s gaming operations in the United Kingdom. He also served as President and COO of MGM Grand Las Vegas. Prior to MGM Grand, Hornbuckle served as President and COO for Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. He spent the majority of his career with Mirage Resorts in various senior management positions, including President and COO of Golden Nugget Laughlin in Laughlin, Nevada, Executive Vice President and COO of Treasure Island on the Las Vegas Strip, and Vice President of Hotel Operations for The Mirage, opening the hotel in 1989.
He received the “Outstanding College Alumnus Award” from UNLV in 2002. Throughout his career, he has been active in supporting community, industry and charitable organizations. Mr. Hornbuckle serves on the state of Nevada Stadium Authority Board, and previously served on the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee.* From 1993 to 1995, he was president of the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce. In 1991, he chaired the Nevada Hotel/Motel Association. In February 1997, he was named a member of the Nevada Governor's Council on Tourism. He was a member of the Board of Directors and Vice Chairperson of the Executive Committee for United Way of Southern Nevada. He also served on the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors AuthorityBoard of Directors. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Andre Agassi Foundation and is a member of the Board of Trustees for Three Square.
