MGM Mirage's Cindy Ortega

As SVP of the energy and environmental services division of MGM Mirage, Cindy Ortega is responsible for the oversight and achievement of LEED silver certification for CityCenter, the $7.8-billion mixed-use development now underway in Las Vegas. It’s not her only responsibility, just the biggest.

In fact, at 18 million sf, the eight buildings on 76 acres is the largest planned LEED project on record. It includes a 4,000-room casino hotel; two 400-room non-gaming boutique hotels, 500,000-sf retail and entertainment district and 2,650 residences and will open in 2009.

In her spare time, Ortega oversees all environmental strategies for the company’s 16 projects. Yet, she stole an hour to talk with GlobeSt.com about the challenges and surprises that emerged as CityCenter grew green from a clean slate.