The Fontainebleau Las Vegas is undergoing another leadership change six weeks after opening as the Strip resort announced Sunday that a former Wynn Las Vegas executive is taking over the top leadership role.
Maurice Wooden has been appointed president of the property, according to a press release released Sunday by Fontainebleau Development. In May, Wooden was appointed president of luxury hotel development for Fertitta Entertainment, which is planning a luxury resort on the south end of the Strip.
Wooden takes over for Mark Tricano who has served as Fontainebleau Las Vegas president since June. The release did not mention his name, but the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Tricano has not left the company and will report to Wooden.
Wooden is a 36-year veteran in gaming and hospitality and previously served as principal executive officer and president of Wynn Las Vegas and as a member of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Board of Directors.
“Throughout his career, Maurice has proven himself as a leader dedicated to evolving the luxury hospitality experience on the Las Vegas Strip,” said Fontainebleau Development Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Soffer. “His well-established track record, along with his unparalleled consistency and a deep knowledge of the hospitality and gaming industries, instills an exceptional level of confidence in us as we continue the development and refinement of our Las Vegas property.”
Wooden’s career at Wynn Las Vegas began in 2005 as executive vice president of food and beverage. He was appointed COO, prior to becoming principal executive officer and president in 2013. Wooden also served previously as the president and COO of the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, vice president of casino marketing at the Mirage Hotel and Casino, and vice president of operations at Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.
“It is extraordinarily invigorating and a tremendous honor to take on the responsibility of leading an incredible team during this defining moment in Las Vegas,” Wooden said. “The rich history and cultural alignment with this iconic brand resonate with my own passions. Fontainebleau Development conceived this resort with a unique independent vision that sets it apart from everything and anything ever been on the Strip. This role presents me with a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with a world-class executive team to enhance our Las Vegas community and to contribute to the growth of the Fontainebleau brand for the future.”
Executive departures since the resort opened include the COO, senior vice president of casino operations, chief marketing officer, and vice president of revenue management.
The $3.7 billion Fontainebleau Las Vegas was built and financed by Fontainebleau Development in partnership with Koch Real Estate Investments.
