Hard Rock International 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. 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,” said Lucas.

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, where he oversaw 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. 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,” said Kelley.

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New renderings of Metropolitan Park, the partnership between Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International, give New Yorkers a look of what turning empty parking lots into 25 acres of new public park will actually feel like. The $8 billion privately funded project is now moving forward with ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Procedure) New York City’s process for public approval of the development. The design and the layout were informed over three years of community engagement by Cohen and his partners with local residents, small businesses, Mets fans, and Queens community leaders to transform the area.

Metropolitan Park is a once in a life-time opportunity to transform the 50 acres of asphalt around Citi Field into an economic engine that will create 23,000 competitive-paying union jobs. This reimagined space will bring together neighbors, fans, and visitors to enjoy 25 acres of new public park space, improved public transportation and climate infrastructure, live music, a Queens Food Hall and a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino with bars, restaurants and a sportsbook.

“We are very proud to present New Yorkers with the visualization of what’s possible for a world-class city and its surrounding neighborhoods. We’d like to thank our partners for working with us to create something truly transformative. We take great pride and the utmost care in bringing forth something that will create much needed jobs and memories that will live on for generations to come,” said Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International.

“It’s time the world’s greatest city got the sports and entertainment park it deserves. When I bought this team, fans and the community kept saying we needed to do better. Metropolitan Park delivers on the promise of a shared space that people will not only want to come to and enjoy, but can be truly proud of,” said New York Mets owner Steve Cohen.

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Seminole Gaming / Hard Rock International have been selected as a US Best Managed company for the fourth consecutive year. The award, sponsored by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal, recognizes the achievements of U.S. private companies and the successes of their management teams.

“We are proud to be selected a US Best Managed Company in this prestigious program for the fourth year in a row. This is continued recognition for our leaders and team members around the world who create a great place to work and build a career, while providing a memorable guest experience across Hard Rock and Seminole Hard Rock casinos, hotels, resorts, cafes and Rock Shops,” Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming, said.

US Best Managed Companies is part of a global Deloitte Private program. Honorees are selected by an external panel of judges who evaluate applicants based on strategy, ability to execute, culture, governance, and financial performance. They join an ecosystem of organizations from more than 44 countries.