Efraín Pérez Agosto began his career on the lively casino floors of Puerto Rico, where his fascination with the gaming industry was first sparked. Starting with a succession of jobs, he quickly showcased his analytical prowess and passion for numbers. In search of broader horizons, Agosto relocated to the U.S. when his casino owner set down roots in Indiana. This move marked a pivotal chapter in his career, as he balanced work while completing his undergraduate degree stateside before going on to pursue an MBA.
Read MoreThe Indiana operation offered Agosto invaluable experience in the American gaming market. His ability to dissect complex data and drive strategic initiatives began to set him apart. During this period, Agosto tells us, his pursuit of an MBA expanded his strategic thinking and prepared him for more significant challenges ahead.
Upon graduating, Agosto joined Caesars Entertainment, where he soon found himself on a fast track to becoming a casino controller. After 4 years with Caesars, it was then on to MGM Resorts International, which was seeking to field a finance team for its new National Harbor resort in Maryland.
Agosto headed east, where over the next 5 years he steadily advanced up MGM’s finance ladder. Eventually having beefed up his FP&A resume, he subsequently landed inside the National Harbor’s CFO office.
Although his leadership there was notably tested by both the COVID-19 pandemic and a significant cyberattack, his proactive and resilient approach was able to help to safeguard the business. Today, Agosto focuses on driving growth initiatives and navigating labor market challenges, positioning him as a transformative finance leader in the gaming industry.
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CFOTL: Tell us about MGM National Harbor … what makes this resort special and sets it apart?
Agosto: We’re a fully integrated resort here at National Harbor. We opened about 7 years ago, and it’s taken an investment of about $1.4 billion to get this property built up. We’re really not like most other regional casinos. We’re more like a Vegas-type property that happens to be in National Harbor, Maryland.
Read MoreWe have over 150,000 square feet of gaming space, which hosts more than 2,000 slot machines and 150 table games. We have a huge poker room with over 40 tables, as well as a 300-plus-room hotel and a spa. Our restaurants are anchored by our Steak House, which is run in partnership with the Voltaggio brothers, who are widely known. We have a theater with about 2,900 seats that has showcased entertainers such as Bruno Mars and Mariah Carey—to name just two of the great artists who have come through. Just to give you a little idea of our scale in terms of finance, we compare very competitively with the highest-grossing commercial casinos in Las Vegas and are a very, very sizable operation in comparison to other regional casinos in the space. jb
“Be nimble with your plan as you approach a new role so as not to undermine the processes and collaboration that will be needed to achieve the desired outcomes.” –Efraín Pérez Agosto, CFO, MGM National Harbor
MGM National Harbor | www.mgmnationalharbor.mgmresorts.com | Oxon Hill, MD