Marriott Chief Operations Officer Robert "Bob" McCarthy to Retire in February

BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) announced today that Robert J. McCarthy, chief operations officer of the company, will retire at the end of February 2014 after 38 years of distinguished service.

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McCarthy began his career as a waiter in a Marriott restaurant outside Philadelphia while attending Villanova University.  He was promoted into increasingly higher level positions, including senior vice president, Northeast Region; executive vice president, operations planning and support; president, North American lodging operations; and group president, The Americas and global lodging services.  He was appointed to his current position in late 2011.

Arne Sorenson, Marriott International president and chief executive officer, said, "Throughout his career, Bob has been an admired business leader, sought-after mentor and trusted colleague, both at Marriott and in the hospitality community.  His extensive management experience, leadership and contributions to our business have been instrumental as we have innovated and grown.

"In fact, Bill Marriott has often noted Bob's career success as a credit to his hard work but also as an example of the vitality of our company culture that promotes opportunity. A trusted partner to me, I will miss his wise counsel as well as his passion for our business and the well-being of our associates."

Marriott also announced that several other executives will assume broader responsibilities.

Dave Grissen, as group president, will play a key leadership role reporting to Mr. Sorenson, focusing on driving global operational excellence, as well as overseeing the Americas, where Marriott has more than 3,300 hotels under management or franchising agreements. Reporting to Mr. Grissen will be Herve Humler, president and chief operations officer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC, who will also report to Mr. Sorenson.  Tim Sheldon, global chief-operations services, will also report to Mr. Grissen. Currently group president Americas, Mr. Grissen will continue to lead that team, which includes Jim Kauffman, president, full service hotels (U.S. & Canada); Liam Brown, President, Select Service & Extended Stay Lodging and Owner & Franchise Services; and Craig Smith, president, Caribbean & Latin America.

Stephanie Linnartz, recently appointed executive vice president and chief brand marketing and commercial officer, will assume leadership of technology, with Bruce Hoffmeister, global chief information officer, joining Ms. Linnartz's executive team, which reflects his critical role in aligning technology capabilities with the company's sales, marketing and customer service engines.

Newly reporting to Tony Capuano, executive vice president and global chief development officer, will be Ron Harrison, global chief architecture & construction officer, which closely aligns Mr. Harrison's pivotal role in driving product innovation with the company's dramatic growth trajectory. As of the end of the second quarter, Marriott had more than 140,000 rooms in its worldwide pipeline of hotels under construction, approved for development, or awaiting conversion, including more than 68,000 rooms outside North America.

"I am tremendously enthusiastic about our future as these talented executives assume their new responsibilities, building on Bob's legacy. We all wish Bob and his family the very best," said Mr. Sorenson.

Mr. McCarthy said he is exploring other hospitality-related business opportunities, including hotel ownership.

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 3,800 properties in 72 countries and territories and reported revenues of nearly $12 billion in fiscal year 2012.  The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 18 brands. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

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SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.