Marriott CEO Arne M. Sorenson — who served as the company’s president and CEO since 2012 — has passed away at age 62.
- In 2019, the company announced Sorenson had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, according to The Washington Post.
- Earlier in February, Marriott said it would cut back Sorenson’s duties because of medical treatment needs.
- Sorenson — son of a Lutheran pastor — was the first leader of the company who was not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And he was the first CEO who was not related to the Marriott family, according to Fortune.
Reactions
- J.W. Marriott, Jr., executive chairman and chairman of the board: “Arne was an exceptional executive – but more than that – he was an exceptional human being. Arne loved every aspect of this business and relished time spent touring our hotels and meeting associates around the world. He had an uncanny ability to anticipate where the hospitality industry was headed and position Marriott for growth. But the roles he relished the most were as husband, father, brother and friend. On behalf of the Board and Marriott’s hundreds of thousands of associates around the world, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Arne’s wife and four children. We share your heartbreak, and we will miss Arne deeply.”
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Mitt Romney sent the Deseret News the following statement: “With the sudden passing of Marriott International CEO Arne Sorensen, the world’s largest hotel company loses a leader of vision and achievement. But Arne was not only a brilliant executive, he was also a fundamentally good person. Arne cared intensely about the many thousands of his colleagues around the world. I will miss his counsel, his warmth and his genuine friendship.”
What’s next?
- Two Marriott veterans Stephanie Linnartz and Tony Capuano will oversee the daily operations for the company until it appointments a new CEO.
- The decision on a new CEO is expected in the next two weeks, per Marriott.