The MGM Resorts Public Policy Institute at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas announced nine advisory board members who will lead the development of bipartisan solutions to economic, education and workforce challenges facing American workers and communities. Advisory board members will shape the research priorities, partnerships and public policy contributions of the Institute. Co-chairs are former U.S. Senator Harry Reid and former Speaker of the House John Boehner. Other board members are Frank Fahrenkopf, Jane Harman, Ron Kirk, Kris Engelstad McGarry, Sig Rogich, Ken Salazar and Rich Verma.
The Institute will be housed in UNLV’s School of Public Policy and Leadership within the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs. The Institute in partnership with UNLV will launch a significant research agenda in 2018, with the scope and outcomes defined by the advisory board.
MGM Resorts Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jim Murren said, “I am honored to welcome these respected thought leaders and experienced public servants to the MGM Resorts Public Policy Institute at UNLV. They know first-hand the diverse challenges facing workforces and communities across this country and the power of bipartisan public policy dialogue to drive change.”
MGM Resorts Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary John McManus said, “I’m very pleased with the caliber of individuals we have on the board. We have accomplished and thoughtful people. Our goal from the onset was to put together an advisory board that the community, the university and our company would all be proud of.”
UNLV President Len Jessup added, “We are thankful to Senator Reid, Speaker Boehner and the team at MGM Resorts for helping to secure a high-caliber and widely recognized group of leaders. Our community of researchers looks forward to working closely with the advisory board as we build a research roadmap to support actionable and inclusive policy solutions.”
Senator Reid and Speaker Boehner jointly stated, “As we prepare to lead a new era of bipartisan, research-based public policy solutions, it is with great pleasure that we welcome this initial group of leaders. Throughout their careers, they have dared to take on some of the greatest public policy challenges of our time and we are proud to have their partnership as we work together to improve the lives of the next generation.”
In March, MGM donated $950,000 to fund the institute for three years. “I think we fully expect that this will continue on beyond the initial three years. I expect we’ll evaluate things, reset, recalibrate. We have the expectation that it’s going to go quite well and we’re going to want to continue it.”
