Chris Kelley
Chris Kelley Joins Hard Rock International as President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon Scheduled to Open Late 2025

Hard Rock International announced the appointment of casino and resorts leader Chris Kelley as President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon, where he will oversee operations of the upcoming entertainment destination opening in Kern County, CA in late 2025. He reports to Jon Lucas, COO of Hard Rock International.
“A veteran of the casino and resorts space, we are so excited to have Chris join our team and lead operations at the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon set to bring premier gaming and live entertainment experiences to the growing Kern County area. We are confident Chris will bring forth his innovative and extensive background in finance and operations, ensuring continued growth and excellence for Hard Rock’s leadership in the gaming industry,” said Lucas.
With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, Chris brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success. Most recently, Chris served as President & COO of MGM Resorts International Northeast Group, where he oversaw operations at MGM Springfield in Springfield, Massachusetts and Empire City in Yonkers, New York.
“I am so thrilled to join the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon team as President. This is an incredible opportunity to lead a dynamic and exciting property that embodies the spirit of entertainment and hospitality. I look forward to working with the talented team here to create unforgettable experiences for our future guests and to drive the continued success and growth of this iconic brand,” said Kelley.
Chris Kelley
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon Hosts Informational Sessions and Strengthens Community Commitment with Donation to The Open Door Network

As Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon moves closer to its highly anticipated grand opening, the company is engaging with the Kern County community through exclusive informational sessions at Bakersfield College’s Renegade Event Room located at 1801 Panorama Drive. The first session, held on April 4, provided local leaders and invited guests with insights into upcoming job and vendor opportunities in the region. The second session took place on April 5 from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
Job opportunities for Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon will be posted on the recruitment site, www.gotoworkhappy.com, starting in May. Additionally, in Summer 2025, Hard Rock will host a series of job fairs and a table games dealer school to welcome members of the community seeking employment opportunities.
“We’re excited to bring Hard Rock’s world-class hospitality and entertainment to Kern County, and our success starts with the incredible talent we recruit. These sessions are an important step in sharing our vision with the community, highlighting the career and business opportunities that will become available in the coming months. Hard Rock is dedicated to keeping our promises by hiring locally and building a team that embodies our culture of service, passion, and authenticity,” said Chris Kelley, President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon.
Hard Rock is consistently recognized as a top employer, having been named one of the nation’s Best Large Employers and Best Employers for Diversity and Women. In the coming weeks, the company will announce dates for its official hiring events, where Kern County residents can explore exciting career opportunities in gaming, hospitality, and management.
Further underscoring Hard Rock’s commitment to Kern County, Tejon Indian Tribe Vice Chair June Nachor and Hard Rock Tejon President Chris Kelley joined Hard Rock representatives in presenting a donation to The Open Door Network, an organization supporting individuals and families affected by domestic violence, homelessness, and human trafficking.
“The Open Door Network is deeply grateful for this generous donation, which will directly support individuals and families in Kern County facing domestic violence, homelessness, and human trafficking. Hard Rock and the Tejon Indian Tribe’s commitment to community investment is truly impactful, and this support will help us continue providing critical services to those who need them most. We look forward to building on this partnership and working together to create lasting change,” said Lauren Skidmore, CEO of The Open Door Network.
The post Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon Hosts Informational Sessions and Strengthens Community Commitment with Donation to The Open Door Network appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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