Former governor expected to join MGM Mirage

and Molly Ball

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Former Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn is expected to join the board of directors of MGM Mirage after a vote at the casino company's annual shareholder meeting in May.

Guinn received preliminary approval from the New Jersey Casino Commission on Wednesday to serve as a board member for the company. MGM Mirage is a partner with Boyd Gaming Corp. in the Borgata in Atlantic City.

Guinn, who had previously served on the board of directors of Boyd before he was elected governor in 1998, still must undergo the standard background checks by New Jersey gaming investigators before the commission takes a final vote on his casino license.

Nevada gaming regulators don't require prior approval before a person can join a company's board of directors.

"We're going through a process, and I hope to be able to serve on the board," Guinn said.

He agreed to take the position pending the necessary approvals.

"I don't want to do a lot, and I've had a lot of opportunities in the last couple of months," since leaving office Dec. 31 after two terms, Guinn said. "I wanted to just do a couple of boards."

MGM Mirage spokesman Alan Feldman said Guinn's name will appear on a slate of candidates for the company's board of directors at the annual meeting in Las Vegas on May 22. Guinn will fill a vacant position.

"We needed to have prior approval from New Jersey before he can be nominated," Feldman said. "Since that took place, Gov. Guinn's name will appear on the ballot in May."

Guinn, who considers himself retired, said he has also been serving since last month on the board of Service 1st Bank of Nevada, a recently formed banking corporation.

He said he chose MGM Mirage because of the company's reputation and his relationships with higher-ups.

"It's a very, very fine company, well run, with excellent management and a very fine board," he said. "I've known many of those people for many, many years."