MGM National Harbor Appoints Chris Gumiela President and Chief Operating Officer
MGM National Harbor appointed Chris Gumiela president and COO, succeeding retiring Melonie Johnson. Gumiela returns with prior VP marketing experience at the property plus recent leadership in BetMGM omnichannel alignment and the LeoVegas steering committee. The move prioritizes employee engagement and community relations in the DMV market.
SCCG Take — Gumiela's cross-channel expertise and $1 billion revenue track record at the property equip him to integrate digital and physical operations. This internal promotion signals MGM's emphasis on proven local knowledge in competitive Northeast gaming.
MGM National Harbor in Baltimore announced the appointment of Chris Gumiela as president and chief operating officer. He succeeds the retiring Melonie Johnson.
Gumiela will oversee the property’s day-to-day operations and provide strategic direction. The focus includes employee engagement and community relations.
“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 in a statement.
Chris Gumiela has more than 20 years of experience bridging physical and digital gaming environments. According to CDC Gaming, he joined the leadership team shortly after the resort opened in 2016 and played a role in establishing its brand identity while driving nearly $1 billion in property-wide revenue. He previously served as MGM National Harbor vice president of marketing from August 2017 through July 2020.
Gumiela's Track Record Across MGM Resorts Portfolio
Since 2021 Gumiela has served as MGM Resorts senior vice president of interactive operations. He directed omnichannel alignment between the digital BetMGM business and land-based resorts, served on the five-member steering committee for LeoVegas, and was appointed to the MGM Resorts Capital Committee in 2026.
He later served as vice president of marketing and advertising for the Regional Portfolio, overseeing marketing strategy and operational efficiencies for MGM National Harbor and Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City. Gumiela first joined MGM Resorts in 2006 as a member of the Management Associate Program at Mandalay Bay and advanced through roles in slot marketing, casino marketing, corporate marketing operations, and brand strategy for Monte Carlo Resort & Casino, now Park MGM.
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