New North American and International Leadership
Marriott also announced plans for the company’s lodging operations to be consolidated under two long-time Marriott leaders after Mr. Grissen steps down from his current role. Under this plan, Liam Brown will take on the role of Group President, North America and Craig S. Smith will take on the role of Group President, International.
In his new role as Group President, International, Mr. Smith will oversee allnon-North American operations for Marriott including the Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East & Africa and Caribbean & Latin America (CALA) regions. Mr. Smith, a32-year Marriott veteran, is currently Group President, Asia Pacific. Prior to his current role, Mr. Smith spent two and a half years leading the company’s CALA region. Mr. Smith’s experience spans work on property (he started in housekeeping), in operations and in staff roles with an international focus – 27 of his 32 years with Marriott have been spent in international markets.
Mr. Brown is currently Group President, Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA). A30-year Marriott veteran, Mr. Brown has spent the majority of his career working in the U.S. Prior to taking over leadership of the EMEA region, Mr. Brown was President, Europe, and prior to that, President, Select Brands and Owner and Franchise Services, North America, and he remains well connected to the company’s North American owners. The company’s Canadian operations will remain part of the North American portfolio under Mr. Brown.
“The changes we are making will help define a new era for our organization – one that will accelerate our global aspirations,” said Mr. Sorenson. “We are lucky to have such a deep executive bench to draw from – both Craig and Liam are superbly talented and will bring tremendous experience to these roles.”
In addition, the company is announcing that in consultation with its Board of Directors, Mr. J.W. Marriott, Jr. plans to transition to the role of Chairman Emeritus in 2022. In anticipation of that event, the company expects that Mr. David Marriott, currently President, U.S. Full Service, Managed by Marriott, will join the company’s Board of Directors in 2021. Mr. David Marriott, who leads the team responsible for more than 320 full service managed hotels in the U.S., started in the company as a teenager washing dishes and has built his career in regional operations and sales. Should Mr. David Marriott join the Board, the company expects he will step down as an executive of the company at that time, in anticipation of assuming the position of Chairman of the Board.
“David is well-suited to join our Board and I know he will bring not only his operations and sales experience but also his deep understanding of Marriott’s culture to Board-level conversation and decision-making,” said Mr. Sorenson.
