(CU)_Marriott International, the world’s biggest hotel chain, appointed a new CEO and a new president on Tuesday (Feb 23), a little over a week after the death of the company’s former leader. Accordingly, 55-year-old Anthony “Tony” Capuano, has been appointed CEO, while Stephanie Linnartz will serve as Marriott’s president.
Capuano, who joined the hotel chain in 1995, most recently served as group president of global development, design and operation services. On the other hand, 52-year-old Linnartz, who also joined Marriott more than two decades ago, most recently served as group president of consumer operations, technology and emerging business.
Marriott’s executive chairman, J.W. “Bill” Marriott Jr. said Capuano played a major role in the company’s growth over the last decade. “He [Capuano] will be a terrific leader as we continue to advance our growth strategy while also navigating the market dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Bill Marriott said in a statement.
The hotel chain’s former president and CEO Arne Sorenson, died on February 15, after a prolonged battle with cancer. In May 2019, he announced that he will be stepping back from the daily running of the company owing to health concerns, but noted that he intended to come back to the business full-time, once he returned to health.
Sorenson, who died at the age of 62, was the first non-family member to head the hotel chain. He took charge in March 2012, and in 2016, Sorenson led the $13 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels and Resorts, which resulted in Marriott becoming the world’s biggest hotel chain with over 1 million rooms.
Capuano described Sorenson as “a mentor, champion and a friend”, and added that his appointment as the fourth CEO in Marriott’s 93-year history was bittersweet.
“Arne was a mentor, a champion and a friend to each member of his close-knit leadership team. It is because of Arne’s efforts that we are prepared to move forward with this transition,” Capuano said.
