Marina Bay Sands appoints new president and new COO

Marina Bay Sands, Asia’s leading destination for business, leisure and entertainment, has announced that a new president and new COO has been appointed. The new president is also currently the managing director of global development for Las Vegas Sands Corp., the parent company of Marina Bay Sands.

George Tanasijevich, the new president, was the interim CEO and previously served as the general manager and vice president, Singapore Development, spearheading the development of Las Vegas Sands Corp.’s winning bid for Singapore’s first Integrated Resort at Marina Bay.

“With his deep insights of corporate Asia, organizational leadership expertise and experience in developing a world-class integrated resort from the ground up, George was the perfect choice for us,” said Michael Leven, president and COO, Las Vegas Sands Corp. “As our first employee in Singapore, George was instrumental in Las Vegas Sands’ successful bid for the Marina Bay Integrated Resort. Throughout Marina Bay Sands’ construction and opening phases, George continued to impress us with his sharp business and legal mind, familiarity with the operating framework in Singapore, and reassuring presence. He has been a steady and strong force for the company since Day 1, and we are proud to have him lead Marina Bay Sands to even greater heights.”

Prior to joining Marina Bay Sands in 2005, Tanasijevich was based in Macau as director of development, responsible for the coordination of various commercial activities related to Las Vegas Sands Corp.’s Cotai Strip projects. An accomplished business executive and attorney with extensive international experience, Tanasijevich also previously served as senior vice president  at CapitaLand Limited in Singapore, Southeast Asia’s largest real estate and hospitality conglomerate.

“At every phase of Marina Bay Sands’ growth, I have been privileged to work with individuals whose passion, hard work and dedication have helped create and define this iconic destination,” said Tanasijevich. “As Marina Bay Sands moves into its second year of operations, I am excited to embark on my new role and look forward to working closely with my 8,600 colleagues to ensure the continued success of Asia’s best destination.”

Marina Bay Sands has also appointed another industry veteran to its senior leadership team. Benny Zin has been appointed as Marina Bay Sands’ Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Zin most recently served as Marina Bay Sands’ interim COO and was formerly vice president for Conventions and Exhibitions, driving the company’s Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) strategy since its opening last year. As COO, Zin will helm the company’s operations across its diverse businesses including hotel, retail, MICE as well as Food and Beverage.

Prior to joining Marina Bay Sands, Zin was the chief operating officer of The Palace Management Group, which operated luxury living communities in Miami, Fla. Before this role, he was the CEO of Kardan Communications, a division of publicly traded company Kardan Ltd, overseeing six telecommunications and software companies.