Aquarium chief to take Sands’ helm

Georgia Aquarium head Mike Leven is heading to Las Vegas to roll the dice as president and chief operating officer of the Las Vegas Sands Corp. Leven will begin his new job April 1.

The move came on the same day the Sands reported it was dumping its president and chief operating officer of more than 13 years. The company, which plans to open a $743 million casino in Bethlehem, Pa., in May and a $5.4 billion resort in Singapore in December, lost $136.5 million in the fourth quarter last year.

Leven, the former head of Days Inn, Holiday Inn and hotelier U.S. Franchise Systems, took over as chief executive officer of the aquarium in September 2008 after former chief Jeff Swanagan announced he was leaving several months earlier.

Leven, 71, quickly made changes at the world’s largest aquarium, accepting the resignation of key personnel who had been there since the tank’s opening and instituting a plan that would bring “marquee” attractions every 90 days. He also introduced the Titanic Aquatic exhibit to the aquarium as well as yoga.

“He said he was going to do something every 90 days and this is it,” said Bernie Marcus, aquarium founder. “He really did what I asked him to do. He put together a dream team.”

Anthony Godfrey, who joined the aquarium as chief financial officer in 2005 and is currently an executive vice president and chief operating officer, has been named president. Marcus will step back in as CEO.

“Anthony and that whole team has been on that initiative,” Marcus said of Godfrey’s ability to continue Leven’s plans. “We have continuity here.”

The Associated Press contributed to this article.