Marriott names new CEO and president

Marriott International has announced the appointment of Anthony “Tony” Capuano as its new CEO, effective immediately.

Capuano (pictured above) was previously group president of global development, design and operations services at the hospitality behemoth.

He began his Marriott career in 1995 as part of its market planning and feasibility team. Between 1997 and 2005, Capuano led the company’s full-service development efforts in the western US and Canada.

From 2005 to 2008, he served as Marriott’s senior vice president of full-service development for North America.

In 2008, Capuano’s responsibilities expanded to include all of US and Canada, and the Caribbean and Latin America, and he became executive vice president and global chief development officer in 2009.

Marriott also announced that Stephanie Linnartz, who was previously group president of consumer operations, technology and emerging businesses, has been appointed president, effective immediately.

Linnartz began her Marriott career in 1997, serving as global chief commercial officer from 2013 to 2019; global officer of sales and revenue management from 2009 to 2013; senior VP of global sales from 2008 to 2009; senior VP of sales and marketing planning and support from 2005 to 2008; and prior to that, various roles in Marriott’s finance and business development department.

The appointments of Capuano and Linnartz follow the unexpected death of Marriott president and CEO Arne Sorenson last week.

Marriott executive chairman and chairman John Willard Marriott Jr said Capuano has played a critical role in the company’s growth over the last decade.

“He will be a terrific leader as we continue to advance our growth strategy while also navigating the market dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Marriott said.

“He works thoughtfully and pragmatically with our owner and franchisee community, and has been steadfast in ensuring Marriott delivers operational excellence and elevated customer experiences at our properties.

“Tony has a deep appreciation for Marriott’s thousands of associates who ultimately deliver on our customer and brand promise, and I know he will be a superb steward of our culture.”

Marriott said Linnartz has a track record of leadership and a clear vision for how the company’s core lodging business, travel platform initiatives and loyalty strategies can work together to accelerate growth.

“Her deep experience across our business will enable her to work seamlessly with our owners and franchisees, innovate for our guests and customers, and champion new opportunities for our associates,” he said.

“Tony and Stephanie are exactly the CEO and president we need as we continue to push forward towards recovery and growth in the years ahead.”

Stephanie Linnartz

Commenting on his appointment, Capuano said: “I am honoured to be appointed to take the helm of Marriott, but it is a bittersweet moment.

“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.

“Together, we will advance the strategy we have in place, which is laser-focused on recovery, expansion, providing opportunities for our associates, maintaining constructive relationships with our owners and franchisees, delivering safe and innovative experiences for our guests and customers, and building value for our shareholders.”

Linnartz said every member of Marriott’s leadership team feels “a profound sense of loss” from Sorenson’s passing.

“He was not just a friend and a leader for us – he was a guidepost for the hospitality industry,” she said.

“The best way we can honour Arne’s memory is to continue to move the company forward. It is my privilege to take on the role of president, and to work with Tony and the rest of the executive team to ensure a seamless transition and to successfully execute our strategy.”

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