Kerry Watson

Since May of 2020, Kerry Watson has served as the Regional Vice President of Government Affairs for MGM Resorts International. In his role, Mr. Watson is responsible for coordinating government affairs efforts in states where MGM Resorts International has a vested interest. He joined MGMRI in January of 2017 as the Vice President for Government Affairs at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland. There he was responsible for government relations with Maryland state and local elected officials, as well as for the management of the company’s legislative agenda. Additionally, he oversaw MGM National

Harbor’s Social Impact and Sustainability Program, which has provided millions of dollars in donations to various non-profits and tens of thousands of hours in volunteerism.

Additionally, Mr. Watson was selected as one of 50 company leaders to complete a yearlong internal leadership development program for its Accelerated Leadership Program, with the goal of facilitating the upward movement of leaders to take on senior leadership or cross-functional roles in the future. The CEO-sponsored program is the first of its kind, and leaders were handpicked by the senior leadership team from a pool of approximately 3,000 leaders companywide.

Previously, Mr. Watson served as a Governmental Relations Consultant for Alexander & Cleaver, a lobbying and law firm that services clients throughout the Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia areas. He has also served as Senior Advisor to the County Executive of Prince George’s County, Maryland, Rushern Baker where, he was responsible for County Executive Baker’s legislative efforts in the County Council, assisted on legislative matters in the Maryland General Assembly and advised on public safety and labor matters.

Prior to his career in government affairs, Mr. Watson dedicated 20-years to the Prince George’s County Police Department where he served in roles including: patrol, K9 handler, instructor and Vice-President of the Fraternal Order of Police. He also serves on numerous boards such as Chair of Employ Prince George’s, Vice-Chair of MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, as well as the National Center for Victims of Crime, just to name a few.

Mr. Watson holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Maryland. He was raised in Prince George’s County, where he met and married his wife, Teresa, who is also a retired Prince George’s County Police Officer. Their daughter, Sydney, plays professional lacrosse, and their son, Corey, attends Stevenson University in Maryland.

Mr. Watson is also a photographer, specializing in travel photography, landscapes and portraits.