Foxwoods Resort Casino CEO John J. James has resigned effective immediately after serving in the post for just nine months.
James, appointed as the tribal casino’s chief executive and president in July 2019, is stepping down from the job “to spend more time with his family,” the casino said in a statement Tuesday afternoon.
Jason Guyot, the casino’s senior vice president of resort operations, has been appointed as interim CEO until James’ successor is named.
Foxwoods, and nearby tribal casino Mohegan Sun, are both closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Day was first to report James’ departure late Tuesday morning.
The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council said the 28-year-old casino will be closed “through the remainder of the COVID-19 crisis,” adding that it is looking into reopening the facility “at an appropriate time… .”
“We are currently focused on a strategic reopening plan, which will take into consideration safe and social distancing guidelines,” the Mashantucket tribe said. “We will share updates as our plans are solidified.”
Foxwoods last summer named James, a former California casino executive, as CEO and president after a year-long search that followed the untimely death of its former CEO, Felix Rappaport. Rodney A. Butler, the Mashantucket tribe’s chairman, had been overseeing Foxwoods in an interim role.
Prior to joining Foxwoods, James, 59, had more than 25 years experience in Native American gaming resort operations.
James previously served as the chief operating officer for Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, Calif., for more than five years. He was also the CEO of Arizona’s Gila River Gaming Enterprises Inc. and managing partner for Leopard Gaming LLC.
He also held chief executive roles at Seminole Gaming Inc. in Florida and Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, Calif.
Foxwoods’ top C-suite chair has been a revolving door over the last decade or so.
In 2010, Michael Speller abruptly resigned as Foxwoods president, and Scott Butera resigned as CEO just four years later.
