Vail Resorts (NYSE: MTN) appoints MGM chief Bill Hornbuckle to board
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Vail Resorts, Inc. appointed William (Bill) Hornbuckle to its Board of Directors, effective August 3, 2026, and increased the Board size from nine to ten members. Hornbuckle, age 68, is CEO and President of MGM Resorts International and brings extensive hospitality and resort-operations experience.
He will serve as a non-employee director under the company’s standard compensation arrangements for non-employee directors, with no related party transactions or appointment arrangements requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. A press release dated July 30, 2026, provides additional background and the company’s expectations for his contributions.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
8-K Event Classification
2 items: 5.02, 9.01
2 items
Item 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers
Governance
Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Key Figures
Board size: 10 directors
Effective date: August 3, 2026
Director age: 68 years
+1 more
4 metrics
Board size
10 directors
Board increased from nine to ten members effective August 3, 2026
Effective date
August 3, 2026
Date William Hornbuckle’s appointment to the Board becomes effective
Director age
68 years
Age of William Hornbuckle at time of appointment
Industry experience
more than 35 years
Hornbuckle’s experience across hospitality, resort operations and marketing
Key Terms
non-employee director, related party transactions, Regulation S-K, Inline XBRL
4 terms
non-employee director regulatory
"As a non-employee director, Mr. Hornbuckle will participate"
Regulation S-K regulatory
"that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K"
A set of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules that tell public companies which narrative and qualitative details must be disclosed in filings, such as risk factors, management discussion, executive pay, legal proceedings and business description. Think of it as a standardized checklist or blueprint that ensures investors get the same types of background information from every company so they can compare risks, management quality and strategy before making investment decisions.
Inline XBRL technical
"Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)"
Inline XBRL is a file format for financial filings that embeds machine-readable data tags directly inside the human-readable report, so the same document can be read by people and parsed by software. For investors it makes extracting, comparing and verifying financial numbers faster and more reliable—like a grocery list where each item also has a barcode—reducing manual errors and speeding up analysis.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
FAQ
What did Vail Resorts (MTN) announce regarding its board of directors?
Vail Resorts announced that William (Bill) Hornbuckle has been appointed to its Board of Directors, effective August 3, 2026, and that the Board size will increase from nine to ten members to accommodate his appointment.
Who is Bill Hornbuckle and what role will he have at Vail Resorts (MTN)?
Bill Hornbuckle is the Chief Executive Officer and President of MGM Resorts International. He has been appointed as a non-employee director on Vail Resorts’ Board, bringing decades of experience in hospitality, resort operations, marketing, and large-scale integrated resort management.
How did the composition of Vail Resorts’ (MTN) board change with this appointment?
To appoint Bill Hornbuckle, Vail Resorts’ Board of Directors was increased from nine to ten members, effective August 3, 2026. Hornbuckle becomes the company’s tenth board member, joining a group that includes directors such as Rob Katz and Sue Decker.
What compensation will Bill Hornbuckle receive as a Vail Resorts (MTN) director?
Bill Hornbuckle will participate in Vail Resorts’ standard compensation arrangements for non-employee directors. The filing notes he will be treated consistently with other non-employee board members, without specifying individual amounts or unique compensation terms.
When was Bill Hornbuckle’s appointment to the Vail Resorts (MTN) board publicly announced?
Vail Resorts issued a press release dated July 30, 2026 announcing Bill Hornbuckle’s appointment to the Board of Directors. The Form 8-K references this release as Exhibit 99.1, which provides additional background on his career and qualifications.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): July 29, 2026
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | (Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |||||||||||||||
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) | ||||||||||||||||
| (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) | |||||
| Not Applicable | ||
| (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report) | ||
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On July 29, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Vail Resorts, Inc. (the “Company”), based on the recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board, appointed William Hornbuckle as a director of the Company to serve until his successor is elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation or removal, effective August 3, 2026. To appoint Mr. Hornbuckle, the Board increased the size of the Board from nine to ten members, effective August 3, 2026.
Mr. Hornbuckle, age 68, has served as Chief Executive Officer, President, and member of the board of directors of MGM Resorts International (“MGM”), a global hospitality and entertainment company with a portfolio of iconic integrated resorts and entertainment destinations, since July 2020. Prior to becoming Chief Executive Officer and President, Mr. Hornbuckle served as MGM's President and Chief Operating Officer from March 2020 to July 2020 and Chief Operating Officer from 2019 to 2020. During his more than 25-year career with MGM and its predecessor organizations, Mr. Hornbuckle held numerous senior leadership positions across resort operations, guest experience, marketing, customer loyalty, development, and strategic growth, including roles such as President and Chief Operating Officer of Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, President and Chief Operating Officer of MGM Grand Las Vegas, Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Customer Development Officer, and Chief Design and Construction Officer. Mr. Hornbuckle also led MGM's domestic and international expansion efforts, including development projects in National Harbor, Maryland, and Macau, and played a significant role in enhancing the company’s customer loyalty, guest experience and premium hospitality offerings. He currently serves as Co-Chairman of the board of directors of MGM China Holdings Limited, founder and member of the board of directors of GBank Financial Holdings, and member of the board of other private and nonprofit organizations. Mr. Hornbuckle received his BS in Hotel Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Hornbuckle and the Company or any other person pursuant to which he was appointed to the Board. There are no related party transactions between the Company and Mr. Hornbuckle that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. As a non-employee director, Mr. Hornbuckle will participate in the Company’s standard compensation arrangements for non-employee directors.
A copy of the press release announcing the appointment of Mr. Hornbuckle to the Board is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
| Exhibit No. | Description | ||||
| 99.1 | Press Release, dated July 30, 2026, announcing the appointment of Mr. Hornbuckle to the Board. | ||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). | ||||
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| Vail Resorts, Inc. | ||||||||
| Date: July 30, 2026 | By: | /s/ Julie A. DeCecco | ||||||
| Julie A. DeCecco | ||||||||
| Executive Vice President and General Counsel | ||||||||
Exhibit 99.1
Vail Resorts Contacts:
Investor Relations: Connie Wang, InvestorRelations@vailresorts.com
Media: Sara Olson, News@vailresorts.com
Bill Hornbuckle Appointed to Vail Resorts Board of Directors
BROOMFIELD, Colo. - July 30, 2026 - Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) today announced that Bill Hornbuckle has been appointed to the company's board of directors.
Hornbuckle is Chief Executive Officer and President of MGM Resorts International (“MGM”), a global hospitality and entertainment company with a portfolio of iconic, integrated brands. Hornbuckle oversees all aspects of MGM Resorts’ strategy, operations, hospitality, and gaming development projects. Since assuming the role six years ago, he has led MGM through transformative periods while advancing the company’s evolution toward a more diversified, experience-led business model and driving growth in dining, entertainment and premium experiences.
Hornbuckle brings more than 35 years of experience across hospitality, resort operations, marketing, strategy and large-scale integrated resort management. Before becoming CEO, he held a range of senior leadership roles at MGM Resorts, including president and chief operating officer, chief marketing officer, and executive roles at several of the company’s largest resorts. He has played a key role in leading MGM Resorts’ domestic and international expansion and the launch of its customer loyalty platform.
“Bill is an accomplished hospitality leader with deep experience operating world-class resorts, building guest loyalty, and elevating service,” said Rob Katz, Chief Executive Officer of Vail Resorts. “As we launch Epic Experience—our multi-year roadmap to make every part of the mountain journey more seamless, personalized and memorable—we are thrilled to welcome Bill to our board and know he will immediately make a substantial contribution to our efforts.”
“I am excited to join the Vail Resorts Board of Directors,” said Hornbuckle. “Having spent my entire career in hospitality and as someone with a personal connection to the mountains, I have long admired the iconic destinations and exceptional experiences that define Vail Resorts. Throughout my career, I've been passionate about leveraging technology and digital innovation to elevate the guest experience while keeping guests at the center of every decision. I look forward to working alongside my fellow directors and the leadership team to help the company continue creating exceptional experiences and delivering long-term value for shareholders.”
Hornbuckle, who resides in Las Vegas, received a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He currently serves as Chair of the U.S. Travel Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to growing travel and tourism to the United States. He has also played a significant role in expanding Las Vegas’ sports entertainment offerings, helping to bring the city its first professional sports franchise, the NHL’s Golden Knights, in his capacity as a board member and President of T-Mobile Arena. Most recently, through his service on the Clark County Stadium Authority Board, Hornbuckle assisted with efforts to attract the NFL’s Raiders to Las Vegas.
With a longstanding home in Park City, Hornbuckle brings a sincere appreciation for the mountains, strong familiarity with Vail Resorts' guests, and true passion for the broader outdoor and experiential leisure sector.
Hornbuckle is Vail Resorts' tenth board member, joining Reggie Chambers, Sue Decker, Rob Katz, Iris Knobloch, Nadia Rawlinson, Hilary Schneider, Peter Vaughn, Michele Romanow, and Bruce Sewell.
About Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN)
Vail Resorts is a network of the best destination and close-to-home ski resorts in the world including Vail Mountain, Breckenridge, Park City Mountain, Whistler Blackcomb, Stowe, and 32 additional resorts across North America; Andermatt-Sedrun and Crans-Montana Mountain Resort in Switzerland; and Perisher, Hotham, and Falls Creek in Australia – all available on the company's industry-changing Epic Pass. We are passionate about providing an Experience of a Lifetime to our team members and guests, and our EpicPromise is to reach a zero net operating footprint by 2030, support our employees and communities, and broaden engagement in our sport. Our company owns and/or manages a collection of elegant hotels under the RockResorts brand, a portfolio of vacation rentals, condominiums and branded hotels located in close proximity to our mountain destinations, as well as the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Vail Resorts Retail operates more than 250 retail and rental locations across North America. Learn more about our company at www.VailResorts.com, or discover our resorts and pass options at www.EpicPass.com.