MGM National Harbor in Baltimore on Monday announced the appointment of Chris Gumiela as president and chief operating officer, seceding the retiring Melonie Johnson.
Gumiela will oversee the property’s day-to-day operations, provide strategic direction with a renewed focus on 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.
Gumiela has more than 20 years of experience bridging physical and digital gaming environments. He previously served as MGM National Harbor vice president of marketing from August 2017 through July 2020. Since 2021, he has served as MGM Resorts senior vice president of interactive operations, where 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.
Gumiela joined the leadership team shortly after MGM National Harbor opened in 2016. He played a role in establishing the resort’s brand identity, driving nearly $1 billion in property-wide revenue, and forging vital community and civic partnerships.
He later served as vice president of marketing & 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, gaining extensive cross-functional training in all areas of hotel and resort operations at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. During his time with MGM Resorts, he has risen through key leadership roles, including slot marketing & 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 & Casino (now Park MGM).
