www.HartfordBusiness.com • October 30, 2017 • Hartford Business Journal 3
Newsmakers
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Hartford insurers trade assets
"Our transaction with The
Hartford will benefit both our
shareholders and customers,
allowing us to have a stronger
focus on our strategy of creating
a personalized approach to
improving member health."
Aetna President Karen S.
Lynch on the $1.5 billion sale
of the health insurer's U.S.
group life and disability business to The Hartford.
Michael Mathis | President and COO, MGM Springfield
By John Stearns
jstearns@HartfordBusiness.com
Michael Mathis used to drive through downtown
Springfield to and from his New Jersey home and Dart-
mouth College, not knowing how Springfield would trans-
form his career and life. Mathis
is president and chief operating
officer of MGM Springfield, the
$960 million hotel-casino sched-
uled to open third quarter 2018.
It's the largest private invest-
ment in western Massachusetts'
history, said Mathis, who's held
the post since 2014. Previously,
he was senior vice president of
global gaming development for
MGM Hospitality, a division of MGM Resorts, in Spring-
field during the casino's campaign and licensing phases.
MGM expects to hire 3,000 employees, largely from
greater Springfield, but also from Connecticut and beyond.
With the opening approaching, Foxwoods and Mohe-
gan Sun planning a casino in East Windsor, and MGM
proposing one in Bridgeport, we asked Mathis to ante
up thoughts on the region's gambling scene.
What's the biggest challenge you face as president?
I am challenged and motivated by the expectation
MGM will be a catalyst for a Springfield renaissance.
It is exciting an MGM Resorts property will live and
breathe on an actual Main Street, opening possibilities
for further investment, while delivering world-class
hospitality, entertainment and amenities.
What's the biggest challenge facing MGM Springfield?
MGM plans to employ thousands in a state that has
never had a mixed-use gaming resort. We welcome the
challenge to educate people about our industry and
provide good-paying jobs in an area without steady
employment for too long.
What's the biggest opportunity you face as president?
Ushering my industry into a new region in a way that
dispels stereotypes and has a lasting positive economic
impact.
What's the biggest opportunity facing MGM Springfield?
The opportunity to rebuild a historic urban center by
highlighting its rich history, diverse culture and existing
amenities, as well as lift up the community is amazing.
Describe the competitive landscape for gambling region-
ally and how it would change with an East Windsor casino?
MGM Springfield is well positioned to be a leader
in New England's multibillion-dollar gaming market.
We are confident our innovative design, expertise in
marketing and strong brands will make our location the
region's premier casino-resort destination.
If MGM Bridgeport were approved, how would that affect
the competitive landscape?
The Bridgeport opportunity is designed to tap into
the underserved New York City market. MGM's growing
East Coast presence allows significant cross market-
ing and customer loyalty programming that gives us a
competitive edge.
Tell us something about you many people don't know.
I studied Chinese in Beijing in the summer of 1991 as part
of the first American class allowed in the country after the
Tiananmen Square protests. I watched YouTube videos for a
month to teach myself how to solve the Rubik's Cube.
VERBATIM
www.kelsercorp.com
43 Western Blvd, Suite 150
Glastonbury, CT 06033
860 610 2200
Because one weakness is all a hacker
needs...
Defend Forward is the most comprehensive
cybersecurity program out there…anywhere.
www.kelsercorp.com/secure
Combatting cyber thieves
"The broad reach of cyber
criminals can be felt almost
every day in Connecticut. Day
after day, we learn of companies,
municipalities, educational
institutions, hospitals, public
utilities, nonprofits and citizens
being targeted by bad actors."
U.S. District Attorney Deirdre
M. Daly on the threat of cyber
criminals and the creation of a new Connecticut
Cyber Task Force to combat them.
