Lucas Moreau
MGM National Harbor has picked Chris Gumiela to serve as its next president and chief operating officer.
The Maryland property made the announcement on November 9, 2026. He takes over from Melonie Johnson, who retired from the post.
Gumiela's remit covers daily operations at the resort along with long-term strategy. MGM says he will put fresh emphasis on staff engagement and ties with the surrounding community.
For Gumiela, the job is a return trip. He spent three years at National Harbor, from 2017 to 2020.
A Career Spanning Bricks-And-Mortar And Online Gaming
MGM Resorts said in its announcement that Gumiela brings more than two decades of experience connecting physical casinos with digital operations. He has served as Senior Vice President of Interactive Operations at MGM Resorts since 2021.
In that post, he worked to bring the BetMGM online business and the company's brick-and-mortar resorts onto the same page. He also sat on the five-member Steering Committee for LeoVegas and joined the MGM Resorts Capital Committee in 2026.
His first stint with MGM Resorts began in 2006 through the company's Management Associate Program, which put him through hotel and resort operations training at Mandalay Bay.
Other stops along the way: Slot Marketing and Analytics Analyst, Casino Marketing Manager, Director of Operations for Corporate Marketing, Executive Director of Corporate Marketing Operations, and Vice President of Brand Strategy for Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, which is now Park MGM.
Back To National Harbor
From August 2017 to July 2020, Gumiela served as Vice President of Marketing at MGM National Harbor. He came aboard with the leadership team not long after the resort opened its doors.
MGM credits him with helping shape the property's brand identity, generating close to $1 billion in revenue across the resort, and forging partnerships with community and civic groups.
He went on to become Vice President of Marketing and Advertising for the Regional Portfolio, a role that covered National Harbor as well as Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City.
In comments provided by the company, Gumiela said he is delighted to return to the DMV area. He said he wants to broaden the resort's role as an entertainment hub for the region and sees the property as a anchor for community life in Prince George's County.
About The Resort
MGM National Harbor stands on the Potomac River's eastern bank, a short drive from Washington, D.C.
The $1.4 billion resort holds LEED Gold certification. It includes a 24-story hotel with 308 rooms and a two-floor casino spanning more than 160,000 square feet, offering slots, table games, and poker.
There is also a theater with flexible seating for as many as 3,000 people, a spa and salon, retail shops, 50,000 square feet of meeting space, and dining from chefs with local, national, and international reputations.
MGM Resorts International owns the property.
Why The Digital Background Counts
MGM is highlighting Gumiela's omnichannel experience, framing his most recent position as one that tied the BetMGM digital business to the company's physical resorts.
The announcement did not address whether operations at the resort will change under his leadership.
Refer to Cashback Terms & Conditions for full program terms.
Latest News from Gambling.com
Betting
Betting
Betting
Betting
Betting
Betting
Source: gambling.com
