Hotelier Andrew Sasson, founder and owner of The Light Group based in Las Vegas, is the creative visionary of The Harmon Hotel, Spa &Residences being constructed at CityCenter, MGM MIRAGE's $8.4 billion “city-within-a-city.” Set to open in November 2009, this luxury boutique hotel - a prestigious member of The Leading Hotels of the World - will redefine exclusive living on The Strip by bringing high-design, privacy, and supreme services and amenities to its sophisticated and affluent residents and guests.

Sasson is committed to the core values of green design and responsible living. The Harmon is currently pursuing highest levels of LEED Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The Light Group's prowess as a hospitality development and management company, caught the attention of Dubai-based Zabeel Investments. In February 2008, the diversified investment group, with holdings in the GCC and other international markets, acquired a fifty percent stake in the company. The partnership unites the experience and innovation of the Light Group with the ambition and expertise of Dubai-based Zabeel Investments, delivering a distinct offering to both the US and UAE and other hospitality developments planned around the world.

Sasson first gained considerable recognition as a trendsetter in the high-end nightclub, lounge, and restaurant industry. Growing up in London, Sasson's instincts were honed while learning the ropes of his family's nightclub business in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. He left Europe for South Florida where he emerged as a key figure in Miami's blossoming South Beach nightlife scene.

In June of 1996, Sasson made his mark in New York City with the debut of Jet Lounge in SoHo, followed by Jet East's opening in Southampton, Long Island and Light, a lounge in Midtown Manhattan, which quickly became New York City's premiere after work and late night destination.

Having created a recognizable brand name, Sasson moved to Las Vegas and The Light Group was born, setting the standard for the high-end nightclub market. Upon the hugely successful opening of Light Nightclub at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, the Las Vegas nightclub market was instantly redefined. The Light Group next opened Caramel Lounge and Bar at Bellagio, Mist Lounge at Treasure Island, and JET Nightclub at The Mirage.

Sasson soon turned his attention to restaurant ventures with FIX Restaurant &Bar at Bellagio, STACK Restaurant &Bar at The Mirage, and Diablo's Cantina at The Monte Carlo Resort &Casino. The Light Group's most recent concepts include Bare, an exclusive pool lounge at The Mirage, and The Bank Nightclub at Bellagio.

2008 brings two new additions to The Light Group's restaurant portfolio with the opening of Yellowtail Sushi Restaurant & Bar at Bellagio, an ultra-sleek contemporary Japanese restaurant and bar, and Brand at Monte Carlo Resort &Casino, a fine dining steak house.

Andy Masi, managing partner for The Light Group, has helped shape the Las Vegas-based company into the entertaining and real estate powerhouse that it is today. Masi oversees all operations for The Light Group and its current and future ventures in both the nightlife and real estate markets. His deep understanding of the Las Vegas market allows The Light Group to successfully cater to both the international tourism market and the local Las Vegas audience. Masi works in close collaboration with Light Group owner and partner Andrew Sasson and is integral in all business decisions and developments.

Masi partnered with long-time friend Sasson in 2001 to develop and launch Light, The Light Group’s first venture in Las Vegas at Bellagio in December. Light soon became the hottest night spot in the city and set the standard for entertainment and nightlife in Las Vegas and throughout the nation. Capitalizing on the success of its first Vegas venue, The Light Group expanded into further entertainment and nightlife ventures with Caramel Bar & Lounge and FIX Restaurant & Bar at Bellagio, Mist Bar & Lounge at Treasure Island, STACK Restaurant & Bar and JET Nightclub at The Mirage and The Light Group’s two newest ventures, Bare Pool Lounge at The Mirage and Diablo’s Cantina at Monte Carlo with several more concepts on the horizon. Masi oversaw the design and construction for all ventures and currently oversees operations for all venues, which are recognized for setting trends in Vegas and beyond, much to Masi’s credit.

Before partnering with Sasson, Masi was a seasoned Las Vegas nightlife leader. He is responsible for helping create and market the successful House of Blues at Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino, which has since become the company’s flagship venue with revenues in excess of $35 million a year.

Originally from New York, Masi made his start in nightlife in Boston, where he attended Boston University and landed the position of general manager for the famous 1,000-person capacity nightclub, AXIS, at the age of 21. Masi’s success at AXIS led him to overseeing the marketing, operations and expansion of the city’s hot party district, Landsdowne Street.

Michael has been working closely with Andrew Sasson for over twelve years, providing key leadership and financial oversight in taking the company from a single New York City location to the diversified lifestyle powerhouse it is today. Before joining forces with Mr. Sasson, Michael was the General Manager of the iconic Bowery Bar in New York City, and spent two years in Los Angeles as the General Manager of the legendary Olive Restaurant.

Originally from New York City, Mr. Rea now resides in Las Vegas and is intricately involved in the corporate culture of the city’s food and beverage and nightlife industry. With over twenty years of hospitality experience, Michael leads corporate operations and oversight, directing and maintaining company standards, policies, and procedures.

Matt Pannek brings over fifteen years of executive level financial leadership and strategy to The Light Group. For the last decade he has focused his career and passion solely on the food and beverage industry.

Mr. Pannek most recently was the President & CEO, and previously the CFO, for Fuddruckers, Inc. which operated and franchised over 250 restaurants worldwide under both the Fuddruckers and Koo Koo Roo brands. Previously he held various positions for over seven years including Sr. Director of Finance/Accounting for Brinker International, Inc. the over $4B casual dining leader with brands Chili’s Bar & Grill, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Macaroni Grill, and On The Border. Mr. Pannek held other positions as the Chief Financial Officer of Aaron Brothers, Inc. and Vice President of Corporate Operations for Michael’s MJDesigns. Mr. Pannek has venture capital experience from working and consulting with both Maverick Capital Equity Partners & the Ramius Capital Group.

Pannek brings a wealth of experience in corporate finance, domestic and international growth, M&A, capital strategy, brand strategy and corporate value creation.

Russell Jones is the Light Group’s Vice President of Operations for its rapidly expanding Food & Beverage Division. Jones recently joined the company from the Lucky Strike Entertainment organization where he served as Vice President of Operations.

In his role, Jones oversees the operations and management for the company’s restaurant properties which currently include Fix Restaurant & Bar at Bellagio, Stack Restaurant & Bar at The Mirage, Diablo’s Cantina at Monte Carlo and will oversee operations and development at Brand Steakhouse opening this May at Monte Carlo and Yellowtail Sushi Restaurant & Bar opening this July at Bellagio.

Jones, a twenty year seasoned operator, brings a wealth of experience from all aspects of the restaurant and hospitality industry to The Light Group. While at Lucky Strike Entertainment, Jones oversaw operations and new venue openings for 16 of the company’s mixed-use restaurant and bowling lane sites. Prior to Luck Strike, Jones spent eight years with the House of Blues restaurant and concert venue company where he served as Assistant General Manager, General Manager and Regional Vice President of Operations. Jones has also worked for various restaurant establishments including the Planet Hollywood Group (during the early 90’s) and Northwest Restaurants.

A native New Yorker, Brian decided at an early age he wanted to become a chef. While studying at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, he worked on weekends for the renowned chef Lidia Bastanich at her three Manhattan restaurants, Felidia, Becco and Frico. After graduating in 1996, Brian traveled to Italy and with Lidia’s glowing recommendation, apprenticed for Guiltier Marchesia at his Bella Vista Vineyards in Erbusco and later for Annie Floydee at Enoteca Pincourri in Florence.

Upon his return to New York almost two years later, Brian was sought out by restaurateur Charlie Palmer, who hired him as a Line Cook and Roundsman at the famed Aureole in New York City. When Charlie was preparing to open Aureole at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in 1999, Brian had the opportunity to join the team as Head Sous Chef. A year later Brian became the Executive Chef for the Charlie Palmer Steak Restaurant, the first free-standing restaurant in a Four Season Hotel.

Nils Leufven is the head of The Light Group's fantastic in-house design department. For over seven years he has worked with Andy Masi and Andrew Sasson to develop the most unique lifestyle brand in Las Vegas.

Nils was born in Stockholm, Sweden and spent most of his childhood in Europe. He discovered graphic arts and expressionist painting at a young age and soon acquired a passion for art. He began exploring the concepts of color and design and the arts of graffiti and typography when he was only 11 years old; in high school, he was named most outstanding art student.

He moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue a Graphic Design degree at Otis College of Art and Design. In 1997, he moved to Las Vegas to work with Movingsun Studios, a design/creative studio specializing in nightlife and casino lifestyle marketing. A mutual friend introduced Nils to Andy Masi, who was opening a new music hall/restaurant in the Mandalay Bay Resort. Their collaboration on the marketing for this new venue--the famous House of Blues--proved successful, and they have worked together ever since.

An international hospitality management professional with over 20 years of experience, Thomas Becker has managed and developed hotel operations in multiple countries around the globe, including Germany, the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Island of Mauritius within the Indian Ocean.

Prior to joining The Harmon Hotel as General Manager in 2006, Becker held various operational positions including, six years as General Manager for the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn &Spa in Sonoma, California, three years as Resort Manager of the award winning One &Only Le Saint Géran, Mauritius and ten years of progressively senior posts with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in Singapore, San Francisco & Hong Kong.

Becker's skills include the development of hotels and resorts from concept stage to completion, as well as leading on-going operations. Experienced in complex multi-cultural environments, Becker's global expertise and leadership successes will provide essential insight during The Harmon's development stage.

David Dornak has served as the General Counsel for The Light Group since April 2007. In this role, Mr. Dornak provides oversight, guidance, and direction regarding legal advice on all matters arising within all venues of the company.

Mr. Dornak brings significant experience to The Light Group, especially in the area of Labor and Employment Law. Prior to joining The Light Group, his private practice focused exclusively on representing employers and managers in all phases of employment litigation as Of Counsel with Lewis and Roca LLP and an associate with Fisher & Phillips LLP. Mr. Dornak also routinely advised employers on the preventive measures that they should take to avoid or reduce employment-related claims. Mr. Dornak began his legal career serving as a law clerk for the Honorable Robert J. Johnston, United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Nevada.

Mr. Dornak earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he was the Editor-in-Chief of the Environmental Law Journal. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Texas A&M University, where he was a distinguished military graduate. Mr. Dornak is a United States Navy Veteran, serving as the Combat Information and Intelligence Officer on the USS Sierra and as the Main Propulsion and Electrical Engineer on the USS Antrim.

Mr. Dornak is rated by Martindale-Hubbell as a “Preeminent Attorney” and as a “Notable Practitioner” by Chambers & Partners. Mr. Dornak has also been selected as a 2007 and 2008 Nevada Super Lawyer.

As the company's Vice President of Operations for nightclubs & lounges, James Reyes is responsible for the operational elements of JET Nightclub at The Mirage, Caramel Bar & Lounge and The Bank Nightclub at Bellagio, and Mist Bar & Lounge at TI. Using his experience and leadership, Reyes handles the daily business and management of The Light Group's signature nightclubs and lounges.

Previously working for House of Blues, Reyes spent a decade opening and managing venues in New Orleans, Los Angeles, Chicago and Las Vegas. Handling the operational components of these establishments, Reyes dealt with the dining and nightlife elements of the venues to maximize work-flow and profitability.