Mohegan Sun CEO to retire next year, but will stay on in transition beyond June departure

Mitchell Etess, chief executive of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, says he plans to retire next year, but will stay on in a transition.

Etess told investor analysts of his decision on a conference call Thursday. He said he'll remain with the parent company of the Mohegan Sun casinos in Connecticut and Pennsylvania beyond the end of his contract on June 30, 2015.

Etess joined Mohegan Sun nearly 19 years ago as senior vice president of marketing.

The Mohegan Sun failed to get a foothold in Massachusetts with casino proposals, but is in the running for a casino in New York's Catskills region.

The authority expects to have a successor in place by April 1.

The 56-year-old Etess said he plans to spend more time with his wife, Karen, and play more golf.