What Has Changed at Marriott International?

Marriott International recently highlighted several significant changes in the company that will have a significant impact on the company’s business as it moves forward.

The company announced that after 36 years with the company, long-time senior executive Dave Grissen has decided to step down from his position as Group President for the Americas, towards the end of 2020 and retire from Marriott in the first quarter of 2021. This position will be replaced by two long-time Marriott leaders as a consolidated operation; Liam Brown who will take on the role of Group President, North America, and Craig S. Smith will take on the role of Group President, International.

Craig S. Smith will oversee all non-North American operations for Marriott including the Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Caribbean & Latin America (CALA) regions. Mr. Smith, a 32-year Marriott veteran, is currently Group President, Asia Pacific.

While Liam Brown who is currently Group President, Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) he will now take care of the group’s North American portfolio.

Another big change is for David Marriott to replace J.W Marriott Jr. as Chairman of the company. David Marriott is currently President, U.S. Full Service, Managed by Marriott, and will join the company’s Board of Directors in 2021.

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.

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