Leven “energized” by Las Vegas Sands job

So why leave a safe job running the Georgia Aquarium to head the troubled Las Vegas Sands Corp.?

“I’m going to help a friend,” new Las Vegas Sands President Michael Leven told the mayor of Atlanta recently, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Leven, 71, a longtime Las Vegas Sands board member, was speaking of company Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson. Leven is also being paid $2 million a year, according to a company filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“It’s not totally altruistic. I’m getting paid very well,” Leven said. “But it’s not about the money. It’s about helping (Adelson) and the challenge of getting it done. How many people at 71 get an opportunity like this, a challenge of this magnitude. I’m very energized about it.”