MGM National Harbor names new team executives

MGM National Harbor, the casino resort set to open later this year in Prince George’s County, Md., has  appointed  three new team leaders. Patrick Fisher was named executive director of hotel operations, Sarah Moore as executive director of brand marketing and retail, and Dasha Ross Smith as director of communications.

“We were able to tap both into the local talent pool as well as across the industry to identify the best team to successfully guide our casino resort through the grand opening and beyond, ” Bill Boasberg, the resort’s general manager, said in a statement.

Fisher will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of hotel operations including guest services, call center, housekeeping, spa and salon, fitness center, pool and reservations.  Before joining MGM National Harbor, Fisher served as director of rooms at the AAA Five Diamond Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C. He has been recognized in Hotel Management Magazine’s Class of 2014 as a “Top 30 Under 30 Worldwide”.

As the head of brand marketing and retail, Moore is responsible for the development and execution of strategic marketing plans and overall brand management as well as oversight of the resort’s retail program. She leads the integration of traditional and digital advertising mediums, email, direct mail and brand marketing events to drive occupancy. Prior to joining MGM National Harbor, Moore served as director of brand management for MGM Resorts International, providing strategic direction and support to ARIA, Vdara, Luxor, Excalibur, MGM National Harbor, and MGM Springfield.

In her communications role, Dasha Ross Smith will lead the resort’s communications and social media efforts. She joins MGM National Harbor from Wells Fargo, where she served as communications lead for the corporate responsibility group. In this role, she managed a team that was responsible for internal and external communications support for environmental affairs, community development and community relations.