Gaming and Hospitality Vet Wooden to Lead Fontainebleau Las Vegas

Fontainebleau Las Vegas, the 67-story, vertically integrated five-star luxury resort and casino deeply rooted in the seven-decade history of the popular Fontainebleau brand, will be led by Maurice Wooden, according to a fresh decision announced by the company. 

Wooden, “Dedicated to Evolving the Luxury Hospitality Experience” on the Strip

According to Fontainebleau Development’s chairman and chief executive officer, Jeffrey Soffer, the 36-year veteran’s experience in the luxury hospitality industry nicely complements the brand-new Fontainebleau Las Vegas that has just opened its gates to patrons. 

Soffer praised Wooden’s proven skills as a “leader dedicated to evolving the luxury hospitality experience on the Las Vegas Strip” while also speaking about his well-established track record, unparalleled consistency, and deep knowledge and understanding of both the gaming and hospitality industries. 

His expertise instills “an exceptional level of confidence” in the Fontainebleau brand as it continues to develop and refine its Las Vegas-based property. 

The new president is expected to be “an excellent steward” of the brand’s culture and heritage while driving growth and development. 

Fontainebleau Las Vegas has been effectively designed to enable guests to move effortlessly among all 3,644 luxury hotel rooms and suites, the convention and meeting space that is fully customizable and expands over 550,000 square feet, and the 150,000 square feet dedicated to gamers.

The resort is also home to a fine selection of world-class dining venues and shops, pools, and offers a vibrant nightlife, along with spa and wellness offerings.

Wooden: “Extraordinarily Invigorating and a Tremendous Honor” to Join Fontainebleau 

Commenting on his appointment, Wynn Las Vegas’ former principal executive officer and president said it was “extraordinarily invigorating and a tremendous honor to take on the responsibility of leading an incredible team during this defining moment in Las Vegas.”

Wooden, who was also a member of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Board of Directors, further explained that the “rich history and cultural alignment” with the iconic brand resonated with his own passions while saying he was looking forward to building on the 70 years of incredible culture established by Fontainebleau.

The new president also acknowledged Fontainebleau Development’s intention to design the resort “with a unique, independent vision that sets it apart from everything there is and anything there has ever been on the Strip.” 

The new role that has been handed to him will help him work together with a “world-class executive team” to boost their Las Vegas-based community while helping the brand grow in the future.

Wooden was also Golden Nugget’s president and chief operating officer, vice president of casino marketing at The Mirage Hotel and Casino, as well as vice president of operations at Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.

The new appointment follows a series of executive resignations including chief operating officer Colleen Birch, chief marketing officer Shane Smith, and senior vice president of casino operations, Michael Clifford.