James Murren Biography and Net Worth

James “Jim” Murren is the former chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International. He currently serves as chairman of the COVID-19 Response, Relief & Recovery Task Force for the state of Nevada, as appointed by Governor Steve Sisolak. 

Murren started out as a securities analyst at the Wall Street firm of Cyrus J. Lawrence, where he earned his chartered financial analyst certification in 1991. He was later elected to the firm’s board of directors, the youngest-ever member. 

While on Wall Street, he directed a crucial recapitalization of MGM Grand, Inc. in 1996, and he also served as a managing director and director of U.S. equity research for Deutsche Bank. In 1998, he joined MGM as its CFO and a director. One year later, he became president. In 2007, he took on the role of chief operating officer, and in 2008 after 10 years with the company, he became chairman and CEO. 

Murren’s first decade with MGM was marked by significant growth and success. He led $15 billion of acquisitions, transforming MGM into the world’s largest gaming company. These acquisitions included Primadonna Resort & Casino in 1998, Mirage Resorts in 2000 and Mandalay Resort Group in 2005. 

In his role, Murren employed thousands of workers and drove countless tourists to the state of Nevada. He adapted constantly to the latest technological advances, making MGM an innovative industry leader. In the aftermath of the Great Recession, companies across the country shut down, but Murren guided MGM through the economic crisis and maintained its position as a top employer in the hospitality industry. He led a thorough reorganization of the company, netting over $500 million in annual savings; which, together with $3.8 billion in financing, kept the company afloat during the recession.

Over the years, Murren has been applauded for his efforts to promote diversity and inclusion. Black Enterprise listed MGM as one of the “40 Best Companies for Diversity,” DiversityInc listed MGM as a “Top 10 Company for Latinos,” The Human Rights Campaign Foundation called it one of the “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality,” and Women’s Business Enterprise National Council recognized it as a “Top Corporation for Women’s Business Enterprises.” Fortune also named MGM one of the World’s Most Admired Companies, and Murren has been repeatedly honored as the gaming and lodging industry's top CFO by Institutional Investor. He was also named the 2013 Responsible CEO of the Year by Corporate Responsibility, a publication that recognizes America's top socially responsible CEOs.

Murren stepped down from his role as chairman and CEO in February 2020, at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was appointed chairman of Nevada’s pandemic relief task force, where he worked closely with local government leaders and the private sector to secure personal protective equipment and develop a robust statewide testing system.

He previously served on the National Infrastructure Advisory Council and as a member of the U.S. Travel Association. He was the chair of the leadership board at the University of Southern California’s medical school, and he currently sits on the board of trustees at Howard University. 

He and his wife, Heather, founded the Nevada Cancer Institute and actively support Trinity College, The Johns Hopkins University, the Fisher House Foundation for veterans and military families, and other nonprofit organizations. They also founded the Murren Family Foundation, a nonprofit focused on veterans and education.

Murren grew up in Fairfield, Connecticut and attended Trinity College, where he studied art history and urban studies.