Hard Rock Casino Tejon has appointed Mike Bean as Property President as the tribal casino moves toward the next stage of its development in California.
Bean will assume the position on October 5, succeeding Chris Kelley, who led the property through its November 2025 opening and first year of operations.
Bean most recently served as CEO of Morongo Casino Resort & Spa and Casino Morongo near Palm Springs, a position he took up in February 2025.
His appointment comes as Hard Rock International and the Tejon Indian Tribe prepare to expand the Mettler property.
Construction on phase two is expected to begin in October and plans include an 11-story, 400-room hotel, a convention and events venue, additional gaming space and new food and beverage facilities.
Hard Rock's existing plans also call for a 2,800-seat Hard Rock Live venue. The operator's current property information confirms that the hotel and additional gaming and dining facilities form part of the planned second phase, although it does not currently list an opening date.
The expansion follows the $600m opening of Hard Rock Casino Tejon in November 2025. Owned by the Tejon Indian Tribe and managed by Hard Rock International, the development became Kern County's first full-scale gaming and entertainment property. Its initial phase introduced approximately 150,000 sq ft of gaming space and created more than 1,000 permanent jobs.
Bean brings more than 30 years of gaming and hospitality experience. Before joining Morongo, he served as CEO of Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment in Arizona, where his tenure included planning surrounding the operator's expansion and the opening of its fifth casino.
He has also held senior positions with Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods Resort Casino and Harrah's Entertainment.
Tejon Indian Tribe Chairman, Octavio Escobedo III, said: "Mike understands tribal gaming and the responsibility that comes with leading an enterprise that supports a Tribal Nation and its future."
In November 2025, Hard Rock International and the Tejon Indian Tribe held the property's grand opening following completion of the first phase. The development introduced more than 2,000 slot machines and over 50 table games, while plans for the subsequent phase included a hotel and Hard Rock Live venue.
Hard Rock Casino Tejon is located in Mettler, approximately 30 minutes south of Bakersfield, and operates 24 hours a day
