Marriott International Announces Leadership Positions for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa

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Aug 12, 2010, 07:00 ET

BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) announced today further steps in the company's global strategy to establish continental divisions in Asia Pacific and the Middle East and Africa with two key leadership appointments. Simon F. Cooper has been named President & Managing Director, Asia Pacific, and will be responsible for leading the operating performance and growth of the region which includes more than 130 properties and 70 hotels under development represented by The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Marriott, Renaissance, Courtyard and Marriott Executive Apartments brands.

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Edwin D. Fuller will lead operations and growth in the Middle East and Africa in his continued role as President & Managing Director, Lodging International. He will also provide counsel on the company's global growth strategy. Marriott plans to open 42 additional hotels in the Middle East and Africa region over the next three years. Both Mr. Cooper and Mr. Fuller will report to Arne Sorenson, President and Chief Operating Officer, Marriott International.

Mr. Cooper will be based in Hong Kong and assumes his new role after leading the exceptional growth and performance of The Ritz-Carlton where he has served as President and Chief Operating Officer for the past nine years.

"Simon brings strong business savvy and deep knowledge of the emerging markets in Asia Pacific given the significant recent growth in the Asia portfolio for The Ritz-Carlton," said Sorenson. "Under his leadership, we achieved a major expansion of The Ritz-Carlton brand around the world and most recently positioned it for future growth through the leverage of our company's global support platform."

"Ed is highly respected throughout the industry and brings considerable expertise and contacts to our global operations," said Sorenson. "As a 38-year Marriott veteran, he was a principle leader in growing the Marriott portfolio from 16 international hotels to more than 400 in 68 countries outside North America and expanding our brands into new markets."

In 2001, Mr. Cooper joined The Ritz-Carlton after serving three years as president of Marriott Lodging Canada and Senior Vice President of Marriott Lodging for Canada and New England. Prior to this, he was an executive with Delta Hotels. Born and educated in England, he earned an MBA from the University of Toronto and was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from Canada's University of Guelph earlier this year.

Mr. Fuller attended Wake Forest University and is a graduate of Boston University and the Harvard Graduate School of Business advanced management program. He served as a trustee of Boston University and was recently appointed to the University's Board of Overseers. Mr. Fuller also serves as Chairman of the Advisory Board for the University of California Irvine, Mirage School of Business and was appointed to the California State University Hospitality Industry Advisory Board. Earlier this year he was named a commissioner of travel and tourism for the state of California. Mr. Fuller served in the U.S. Army as a captain in Germany and Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star and the Army Commendation Medal.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company with more than 3,400 lodging properties in 70 countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Bulgari, The Autograph Collection, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn and SpringHill Suites brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; licenses and manages whole-ownership residential brands, including The Ritz-Carlton Residences, JW Marriott Residences and Marriott Residences; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and had approximately 137,000 employees at 2009 year-end. It is recognized by FORTUNE® as one of the best companies to work for, and by Newsweek as one of the greenest big companies in America. In fiscal year 2009, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of nearly $11 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.