Two years after his appointment, casino industry veteran Cliff Atkinson has left his role as President of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, effective Monday.
The operator released a statement today saying it thanked Atkinson for his contributions and leadership and wished him the best in his future endeavors.
LinkedIn photo
“Looking ahead, the property’s executive team will remain intact, with Chief Operating Officer Lia Rispoli assuming an expanded role as President and COO,” the operator said in a statement. “Lia has extensive experience in Las Vegas and has been a key leader in the property’s operations since 2011. Virgin Hotels Las Vegas’ ownership and executive team are confident in Lia’s leadership and the property’s ability to continue to provide exceptional guest experiences.”
Atkinson assumed the role of president in July 2023. At the time, he was called a well-respected and proven leader.
In December 2024, the Nevada Gaming Commission backed a new gaming operator at the property, as Atkinson and Chief Financial Officer Chad Konrad partnered to take over casino operations from the Connecticut-based Mohegan tribe. Atkinson served as CEO, while Konrad the CFO of the new entity, C&C 4455 LLC.
The statement made no reference to that partnership and its status at the property.
The hotel is owned by British-based Virgin Group, along with an investment management firm and Canadian pension fund. JC Hospitality is the operating company for the landlord.
“It was important to our board to find a leader that possessed not only the knowledge and experience required to drive results at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, but also the reputation and personality needed to lead and inspire the amazing team that exists on property,” read a statement from the board of JC Hospitality in July 2023. “Cliff is that type of leader and we’re excited to support him as he leads the charge to realize the tremendous potential of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.”
Atkinson has played a leading role in several high-profile hotels across the country including Luxor Hotel & Casino, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, and Gramercy Park Hotel, and in a corporate capacity at MGM Resorts International, where he led their hospitality center of excellence.
