J. Terrence Lanni

J. Terrence Lanni
1943-2011

J. Terrence ("Terry") Lanni, a loving husband, father and brother has
passed away at age 68. He was politically active, a philanthropist and a
noted leader in the gaming and hospitality industry.

Terry met Debbie Hower of San Marino, California in 1975. They were married in Las
Vegas, NV in 1979 and have two sons, Sean 27 and Patrick 25.

Terry grew up in Beverly Hills with his father Anthony, an executive with
the Los Angeles Times, his mother Lucille, his twin brother Michael and
older brother and sister Richard and Marylou.

Terry attended Chaminade Prep, a private Catholic High School in
Cheviot Hills, where he served as student-body president. Among his
favorite classes were civics and debate which fueled a life-long love of
politics and history. Terry was especially fond of the works of Winston
Churchill and was very proud to own two first edition copies of "Mr.
Broderick's Army."

Terry graduated from the University of Southern California with a B.S. in
speech and general management. Entering the workforce, Terry joined
Republic Corporation, an NYSE-listed conglomerate, where he served as
Treasurer for nearly a decade. He left Republic in 1976 to follow his
passion for politics, serving on the national staff for the reelection of
President Gerald Ford. After Ford's narrow loss to Jimmy Carter, Terry
was approached to join the "gaming industry."

While Terry had a long and remarkable career in the gaming industry
having served in senior executive positions at Caesars World, Inc. and
MGM Grand Inc., he wasn't certain if it was the right mix at first.
In a 2007 MarketWatch interview, Terry said, "They said they had a very
exciting opportunity -- great company, great people -- for me, and they
talked to me for about an hour, but wouldn't tell me the industry. Finally I
asked and they said, 'gaming.' I said, 'gaming?' You mean gambling? I
don't know about that."

But after more consideration, he thought, "there are people a lot brighter
than I am who are not going into this business, so the competition will be
easier."

Terry joined Caesars World in 1977 as Treasurer and Chief Financial
Officer, was named Senior Vice President in 1978 and elected Executive
Vice President in 1979. He was President and Chief Operating Officer
and a member of the Board of Directors of that company from 1981 to
1995.

Terry was instrumental in giving the gaming industry added credibility on
Wall Street. In a 2007 USA Today story, former Caesars World CEO Bill
McElnea noted that Terry was well-spoken and well-dressed and had the
financial smarts to impress bankers and investors.
"We were building a company, and we needed the respect of people back
East," McElnea told USA Today. "Business people had confidence in
Terry. He opened things up."

After 18 years as a senior executive of Caesars World, Inc., Kirk
Kerkorian recruited Terry to MGM Grand, Inc. in 1995, as President &
Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors. Later
that same year he was named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and
went on to oversee the historic acquisitions first of Mirage Resorts by
MGM Grand, Inc. creating MGM MIRAGE and later the acquisition of
Mandalay Resort Group, creating the extraordinary portfolio of resorts and
a world-class organization known today as MGM Resorts International.

"There is virtually no one that I've respected more than Terry Lanni," said
Kirk Kerkorian. "His integrity, professionalism and generosity were
second to none. He was a valued and trusted friend and an invaluable
colleague."

Among other contributions to the growth and development of the gaming
industry, Terry was most proud of his role in the development of MGM's
widely recognized diversity and inclusion programs. Terry strongly
believed in the value of every individual and always respected the
contributions and beliefs of people from every circumstance and culture.

"Terry's leadership in pioneering inclusion in our industry was a bold and
courageous move at a time when few realized the tremendous
importance of diversity in the globalization of our industry and the world
economy," noted current MGM CEO Jim Murren. "We can all learn to be
better people by emulating his values personally and professionally."
Terry was very proud and humbled by the accolades and attention he
received over the years. In 1992, he was named "Alumni of the Year" by
the USC School of Business Administration. He was appointed by the
Speaker of the House in 1997 to serve on the National Gambling Impact
Study Commission. In 2000 he was inducted into the Gaming Hall of
Fame and in 2001 was the recipient of Casino Journal's Lifetime
Achievement Award. He was the first recipient of the Nevada Governor's
"Philanthropist of the Year" Award presented at the Governor's Black-Tie
Gala charity event in 2003.

Outside of his beloved family, Terry's greatest passions were for
education, politics and horses.

He had a deep belief in giving back to the community and was active in
several organizations including serving on the Board of Trustees of The
Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation; the Board of Overseers of the
Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California; the
Marshall School of Business Board of Visitors at the University of
Southern California; Board of Trustees of Santa Clara University; the
Board of Trustees of the UNLV Foundation, University of Nevada, Las
Vegas and the Board of Directors of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.
Terry's passing was peaceful and he was surrounded by the family he
loved.

Terry was the owner of several stakes winning thoroughbred horses. He
was co-owner, with his lifelong friend Bernie Schiappa, of the 1999
Breeder's Cup Mile winner Silic, and Del Mar's 1998 horse of the meet,
Ladies Din. His most recent success was Game On Dude, winner of the
2011 Santa Anita Handicap.


A memorial mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 22 at Holy
Family Catholic Church, 1527 Fremont Avenue, South Pasadena, CA
91030.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to
the Lanni Family Cancer Research Fund under the direction of Dr.
Heinze-Josef Lenz of USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.

USC Comprehensive Cancer Center Development Office
Attn: Carmy Peters
1441 Eastlake Avenue
NOR 8302
Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 865 0700