Four Seasons manager moving to Bellagio

Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2000 | 10:53 a.m.

When Randy Morton opened the Four Seasons Las Vegas in March 1999, he hoped to create a product that could outclass the opulent Bellagio.

But as of Oct. 9, the Bellagio's 3,000 rooms will be in Morton's hands.

MGM MIRAGE announced today that Morton was named vice president of hotel operations at Bellagio, replacing Alan Fuerstman. Morton, who has been with the luxury Four Seasons chain for 20 years, will leave the Four Seasons on Oct. 6.

At the 424-room Four Seasons, located within Mandalay Bay, Morton created what's arguably the Strip's most luxurious hotel, one entirely without gaming. Morton said it won't be easy to leave the company's he's worked in for two decades.

"I've grown up with the company (Four Seasons)," Morton said. "But this was an opportunity presented by Mr. Bobby Baldwin (chief executive of Mirage Resorts), who I have great respect for. He offered me a phenomenal opportunity to join their company and to be a part of the growth of MGM MIRAGE.

"Accepting the position had a lot to do with working for him (Baldwin)."

Fuerstman is leaving the Bellagio to start a Las Vegas-based hospitality consulting firm.

Morton was one of four executive appointments announced today by MGM MIRAGE:

* Felix Rappaport, executive vice president of hotel operations at the MGM Grand, was named president of New York-New York. Rappaport replaces Dave Cacci, who is leaving the company to pursue other interests, the company said.

* Maurice Wooden, vice president of casino marketing at the Mirage, was named president of the Golden Nugget in downtown Las Vegas. Wooden replaces Robert Sheldon, who resigned from the Golden Nugget in June to become president and chief executive of the Foxwoods casino resort in Connecticut.

* Gamal Aziz, senior vice president of food and beverage at the Bellagio, was named executive vice president of hotel operations at the MGM Grand, replacing Rappaport.