Marriott International president and CEO Arne Sorenson "unexpectedly" died on Monday, the company announced. He was 62. Marriott first shared the news in May 2019 that Sorenson had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. On Feb. 2, the company announced that he would temporarily reduce his schedule as he was to undergo more demanding treatment for the disease.
Sorenson became the third CEO in Marriott's history in 2012, and the first without the Marriott surname. He had joined the company in 1996. During his tenure as CEO, Sorenson oversaw the $13 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, as well as steered Marriott to make significant progress on diversity, equity and inclusion, environmental sustainability and human trafficking awareness.
"Arne was an exceptional executive—but more than that—he was an exceptional human being," said Marriott executive chairman and chairman of the board J.W. Marriott Jr. "Arne loved every aspect of this business and relished time spent touring hotels and meeting associates around the world. He had the 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."
At the time of the Feb. 2 announcement, Marriott appointed two executives to oversee the company's operations: group president of consumer operations, technology and emerging businesses Stephanie Linnartz, and group president of global development, design and operations services Tony Capuano. Both will continue in this capacity in addition to maintaining their current responsibilities until the Marriott board appoints a new CEO, which the company said it expects to do within the next two weeks.
Sorenson was named to BTN's annual Most Influential list five times, in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
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