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When you sit down with Steve Zanalla, President of Resort Operations at MGM Resorts International, the conversation isn’t about titles or accolades, it’s about roots, choices, and the people who shaped his journey.
On a recent episode of the Betting On Success Podcast, Steve joined Mark Morton aka "Morty" to reflect on the lessons he’s learned along the way.
Here’s a look at some of the highlights from their discussion. Listen to the complete podcast on PodBean, Apple Podcast, Spotify or YouTube.
From Small-Town Foundations
Steve grew up in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, a mountain town of about 5,500. His parents ran a bakery, and life revolved around family, neighbors, and simple routines. Summers meant swimming in the hot springs pool, winters meant skiing and tubing with friends.
But every year, family road trips to California planted new ideas. Stopping in Las Vegas along the way, Steve remembers the energy of Circus Circus: his parents at the slots downstairs, him playing arcade games upstairs, watching the buzz of the casino floor. That early fascination became a quiet but steady ambition.
A Path Less Traveled
After graduating from UNLV with a hotel management degree, Steve entered MGM’s Management Associate Program, a crash course in every part of the business.
Instead of chasing the “perfect” role, he leaned into opportunities that stretched him, including a move to Biloxi, Mississippi, to help open Beau Rivage. It wasn’t the most obvious career step, but it was formative. As he says:
“Sometimes the best opportunities come from taking the path less traveled.”
People First, Always
What stands out most about Steve’s leadership is how he frames success: not as personal advancement, but as helping others grow. His guiding principle is the platinum rule. Treat people the way they want to be treated.
“If people know you care, they’ll walk through fire for you.”
A Changing Las Vegas
Over three decades, Steve has seen Las Vegas reinvent itself again and again; shifting from a family destination experiment in the 90s to today’s role as a global hub for sports and entertainment. He sees the city as proof that reinvention is possible, no matter how established you are.
What He Tells Young Professionals
Steve’s advice for people starting out is simple:
Looking Back
After 34 years with MGM, Steve describes his career not in terms of achievements, but in terms of people. For him, leadership has always been about staying grounded in small-town values while helping others find their own path forward.
The Betting On Success Podcast, sponsored by Las Vegas-based companies Marker Trax and Koin Payments, features conversations with gaming industry leaders while exploring the future of cashless gaming technology.
Listen to the complete conversation, visit PodBean, Apple Podcast, Spotify or YouTube.
