Chris Kelley Named President for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon Scheduled to Open Late 2025

Hard Rock International today announced the appointment of casino and resorts leader Chris Kelley as President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon, where he will oversee operations of the upcoming entertainment destination opening in Kern County, CA in late 2025. He reports to Jon Lucas, COO of Hard Rock International.

“A veteran of the casino and resorts space, we are so excited to have Chris join our team and lead operations at the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon set to bring premier gaming and live entertainment experiences to the growing Kern County area,” said Lucas. “We are confident Chris will bring forth his innovative and extensive background in finance and operations, ensuring continued growth and excellence for Hard Rock’s leadership in the gaming industry.”

With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, Chris brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success. Most recently, Chris served as President & COO of MGM Resorts International Northeast Group, overseeing operations at MGM Springfield in Springfield, Massachusetts and Empire City in Yonkers, New York.

“I am so thrilled to join the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon team as President. This is an incredible opportunity to lead a dynamic and exciting property that embodies the spirit of entertainment and hospitality,” said Kelley. “I look forward to working with the talented team here to create unforgettable experiences for our future guests and to drive the continued success and growth of this iconic brand.”

Before this role, Chris served as President & COO of MGM Northfield Park, where he opened the property with the highest gross gaming revenues in the state. Additionally, as CFO of MGM Detroit, Chris led all finance operations for one of the largest regional properties in the country. Chris also held several leadership positions at Viejas Casino & Resort in San Diego, California, including CFO and General Manager roles where he managed all enterprise business interests and oversaw numerous largescale renovations and expansions leading to the property’s first AAA Four Diamond and Forbes Four Star Awards.