Burton Cohen joins MGM Mirage board

Long time gaming executive Burton Cohen will join the MGM Mirage board of directors, the casino operator announced early Wednesday.

Cohen, an attorney and retired resort official, served in many prominent positions during his 30-year career in Las Vegas.

"We are deeply honored that Burton Cohen, a man with such a tremendous range of resort experience and knowledge, has accepted an invitation to join the MGM Mirage Board of Directors," chairman and chief executive officer Jim Murren said in a statement.

Early in his career, Cohen co-owned and managed the Frontier Hotel and Desert Inn.

Cohen helped developer Jay Sarno open Circus Circus. He later was executive vice president of the Flamingo; eventually becoming president of Flamingo Hilton after the Hilton Corporation acquired the property in 1971.

Mr. Cohen was vice president at Caesars Palace and a member of the casino’s operating company board of directors.

In 1978, Cohen was the first president and general manager of the Desert Inn when the Summa Corp owned it. He was instrumental in the casino serving as the home of the television show "Vega$.”

Cohen oversaw the financial restructure of the Dunes in 1986, helping to nearly double the hotel-casino’s value.

In 1992, Cohen returned to the Desert Inn as president and CEO. He stayed on as president and managing director when the property was sold to ITT Sheraton Corporation.

Cohen retired in 1995 and was elected to the American Gaming Association's Hall of Fame that year.