Vail Resorts has added a Las Vegas hotel and casino CEO to its board of directors.
In a simultaneous press release and filing with the Security Exchange Committee, the company announced the addition of Bill Hornbuckle as the 10th member of the board. The statement came at the close of the stock market Thursday evening.
Hornbuckle has been CEO of MGM Resorts since 2020. He has lived in Las Vegas and worked at various resorts there since 1981.
According to the statement from Vail Resorts, Hornbuckle was brought on specifically to help with the Epic Experience developments. The Epic Experience, announced earlier in July, is Vail Resorts’ plan to direct company focus to guest experiences. The plan is largely aimed at changing the hospitality aspects of the resorts.
In Thursday’s statement, Hornbuckle said he is “passionate about leveraging technology and digital innovation to elevate the guest experience.”
Changes to digital services at Vail Resorts were referenced in the original announcement of the Epic Experience. Little detail has been given on what those updates will be or how Hornbuckle is expected to be involved in their development.
Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz said Hornbuckle will “immediately make a substantial contribution to our efforts.” The statement referenced Hornbuckle’s expansive career in “hospitality, resort operations, marketing, strategy and large-scale integrated resort management.”
Hornbuckle has owned a second home in Park City since at least 2013.
When asked for details about the search for a new board member and the choice to appoint Hornbuckle, a Vail Resorts spokesperson said, “The board regularly evaluates its composition to maintain the right mix of skills, experiences and perspectives to oversee the company’s strategy and long-term value creation.”
Hornbuckle is working with MGM Resorts to expand its brand, including betting and online gaming, into Japan. He also played a large role in bringing professional sports to Las Vegas and expanding their stadiums.
He has involvement with various nonprofits including Intermountain Health and education scholarships. He is also the chair of the U.S. Travel Association.
Hornbuckle’s appointment to the board is effective Aug. 3.