Vail Resorts, Inc. announces the appointment of Bill Hornbuckle to its Board of Directors. CEO and President of MGM Resorts International for the past six years, he oversees the Group’s entire strategy, operations and hotel and gaming development projects, and has steered MGM’s shift towards a more diversified, experience-led model, with strong growth in dining, entertainment and premium experiences.
With more than 35 years of experience in hospitality, resort operations, marketing, strategy and the management of large integrated resorts, Bill Hornbuckle held several senior leadership positions at MGM Resorts before becoming CEO, including President and Chief Operating Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, as well as leadership roles at several of the Group’s largest resorts. He played a key role in MGM Resorts’ national and international expansion as well as the launch of its customer loyalty platform.
Rob Katz, CEO of Vail Resorts, praised Bill Hornbuckle as an accomplished hospitality leader, with deep experience in operating world-class resorts, building customer loyalty and raising service standards. He noted that as the Group launches Epic Experience, its multi-year roadmap designed to make every stage of the mountain experience smoother, more personalised and more memorable, Bill Hornbuckle’s arrival on the Board represents a substantial and immediate contribution to that ambition.
Bill Hornbuckle said he was excited to join Vail Resorts’ Board of Directors, having spent his entire career in hospitality and holding, in his words, a personal connection to the mountains. He said he has always been driven by a desire to leverage technology and digital innovation to elevate the guest experience, consistently placing the guest at the centre of decisions, and said he looks forward to working alongside his fellow directors and the leadership team to continue creating exceptional experiences and generating long-term value for shareholders.
A Las Vegas resident and long-time owner of a home in Park City, Bill Hornbuckle currently chairs the non-profit U.S. Travel Association, dedicated to growing tourism in the United States. He has also made a significant contribution to the growth of Las Vegas’s sports and events offering, helping bring the city’s first professional sports franchise, the NHL’s Golden Knights, as a board member and chairman of T-Mobile Arena. More recently, through his role on the Clark County Stadium Authority Board, he contributed to the efforts that helped bring the NFL’s Raiders to Las Vegas.
Holder of a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Bill Hornbuckle becomes Vail Resorts’ tenth board member, alongside Reggie Chambers, Sue Decker, Rob Katz, Iris Knobloch, Nadia Rawlinson, Hilary Schneider, Peter Vaughn, Michele Romanow and Bruce Sewell.
At a Glance
Vail Resorts — Board appointment – New board member: Bill Hornbuckle, effective immediately (announced July 30, 2026) – Current role: CEO & President, MGM Resorts International (6 years in role) – Context: coincides with launch of Vail Resorts’ “Epic Experience” multi-year roadmap – 10th board member, joining Reggie Chambers, Sue Decker, Rob Katz, Iris Knobloch, Nadia Rawlinson, Hilary Schneider, Peter Vaughn, Michele Romanow, Bruce Sewell – Community roles: Chair, U.S. Travel Association; board member, T-Mobile Arena (Golden Knights); Clark County Stadium Authority Board (Raiders relocation) – Personal: longtime Park City resident – Education: BS, Hotel Administration, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
