Marriott Executive Chairman J.W. Marriot to Retire in May
Marriott International announced plans on Monday for the retirement of J.W. Marriott Jr., known as Bill in the hospitality industry, as executive chairman and the appointment of David Marriott to succeed him as chairman of the board.
Mr. Marriott’s retirement as chairman, which was originally announced in 2020, is effective immediately following the company’s stockholder meeting in May, at which point David Marriott will become chairman.
Marriott began as a nine-stool root beer stand opened by John Willard Marriott, Bill Marriott’s father, in 1927 in Washington, D.C.
Bill Marriott joined the company while in high school and became a full-time employee in 1956. He then oversaw operations at the hotelier’s first property, the Twin Bridges Marriott, a motel in Arlington, Virginia, which opened in 1957.
David Marriot joined the company in 1999 and became a board member in 2021.
“David is well-suited to serve on 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 then CEO Arne Sorenson at the time of his appointment.
(Photo: Accura Media Group)