It’s a sign of the times; 30 CEOs are vying for the honor of being named Annual Responsible Chief Executive Officer of the Year by CR Magazine. Among them is Jim Murren, Chairman & CEO of MGM Resorts International (MGM) -- the only one in the hospitality and entertainment sector to make the finalist list.

CR Magazine, “the voice of the corporate responsibility profession,” evaluates CEOs across industries that visibly exceed standards in the areas of employee relations, environmental impact, human rights, philanthropy and corporate responsibility practices.

MGM’s CityCenter, at more than 18M sq. ft., is the largest LEED® Gold certified development in the world, earning six LEED® Gold certifications from the U.S. Green Building Council. Additionally, MGM Resort has reduced electricity consumption by 120 million kWh per year, enough to power 10,450 homes each year, and water usage by 500 million gallons per year, enough to fill more than 750 Olympic-size swimming pools. In 2011, Newsweek magazine ranked MGM Resorts as the most "green" resort and casino company.

Murren was also recognized for his company’s Diversity & Inclusion program, which has graduated more than 11,000 people from its Diversity Champion training workshop. The company points to increased representation on its management team of female and minority personnel, now at 42 percent 38 percent, respectively. Additionally, through its Supplier and Construction Diversity programs, MGM Resorts has spent a cumulative total of nearly $3 billion with minority-owned, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises.

Philanthropy & Community Engagement: MGM Resorts last year contributed to a combined total of more than 500 nonprofit agencies in Nevada, Michigan and Mississippi through its corporate giving program. Additionally, Company employees have donated nearly $50 million to nonprofit organizations through The MGM Resorts Foundation since its founding in 2002.

MGM Resorts International (MGM) operates Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage, among other properties.