Marriott International today shared the sad news that its President and CEO, Arne M Sorenson, unexpectedly passed away yesterday (15 February 2021).
In May 2019, the hotel chain announced that Sorenson had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Then earlier this month (on 2 February 2021), Marriott announced that he would temporarily reduce his schedule to facilitate more demanding treatment. His death is not only mourned by his family and friends, but by Marriott International staff and customers worldwide, as well as leaders in the corporate world.
Known for his leadership on difficult national and global issues, Sorenson steered Marriott to make significant progress on diversity, equity and inclusion, environmental sustainability and human trafficking awareness. Sorenson was involved in many initiatives to help address inequality in all forms, and especially in healthcare, which have been exacerbated by Covid-19. He was considered a diversity champion and ally not just at Marriott International and the travel industry, but across many industries; as demonstrated by the thousands of tributes dedicated to him on social media from other CEOs/leaders, staff members and customers.
AN EXCEPTIONAL LEADER
“Arne was an exceptional executive – but more than that – he was an exceptional human being,” stated JW Marriott, Jr, Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board. “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.”
Sorenson became the third CEO in Marriott’s history in 2012, and the first without the Marriott surname. A visionary leader, Sorenson put the company on a strong growth trajectory that included the $13-billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts. During his tenure as CEO, Sorenson was tireless in driving the company’s progress, creating opportunities for associates, growth for owners and franchisees and results for the company’s shareholders.
When Sorenson stepped back from full-time management in early February, the company tapped two veteran Marriott executives, Stephanie Linnartz (Group President, Consumer Operations, Technology and Emerging Businesses) and Tony Capuano (Group President, Global Development, Design and Operations Services), to share responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the company’s business units and corporate functions; in addition to maintaining their current responsibilities. Linnartz and Capuano will continue in this capacity until the Marriott Board appoints a new CEO, which is expected to be within the next two weeks.
Sign up for our newsletter
