Marriott International Announces Death of CEO Arne Sorenson

Marriott International announced that President and CEO Arne M. Sorenson unexpectedly passed away on Monday.

Sorenson announced he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May 2019 and temporarily reduced his schedule to facilitate more demanding treatment in February. While he was away, Marriott tapped two veteran executives to share the responsibility for overseeing day-to-day operations.

As a result, Marriott revealed Stephanie Linnartz would oversee the International lodging division, as well as Legal, Human Resources and Communications & Public Affairs. Tony Capuano would lead the company’s U.S. and Canada lodging division and Finance.

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.

“Arne was an exceptional executive – but more than that – he was an exceptional human being,” Executive Chairman J.W. Marriott, Jr. said. “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,” Marriott continued. “We share your heartbreak, and we will miss Arne deeply.”

Sorenson became the third CEO in Marriott’s history in 2012 and masterminded major moves, including the $13-billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts. He was credited with driving the company’s progress, creating opportunities for associates, growth for owners and franchisees and results for shareholders.