Marriott names new CEO after death of Arne Sorenson

Marriott International has named a new chief executive, a week after the death of its longtime CEO Arne Sorenson.

Anthony “Tony” Capuano, a 25-year veteran at the world’s biggest hotel chain, will join the board of directors as he succeeds Sorenson, who died Feb. 15 at age 62 after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer, the company said Tuesday.

Capuano, 55, was previously group president, global development, design and operations. 

“It is a bittersweet moment,” Capuano said in a statement. “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.” 

Marriott also named a new president, Stephanie Linnartz, 52, who’d previously been group president of consumer operations and emerging businesses. She and Capuano were immediately tapped to temporarily lead the office of the CEO after Sorenson’s death.

Capuano will be only the second CEO who is not a member of the Marriott family — with Sorenson being the first when he assumed the role in 2012. Capuano began his Marriott career in 1995 as part of the market planning and feasibility team and steadily rose up the corporate ladder at the Bethesda, Md.-based company. 

“Tony has played a critical role in Marriott’s growth over the last decade,” J.W. “Bill” Marriott, Jr., Executive chairman and chairman of the board, said in a statement. “Together with Stephanie in the role of President, and the rest of our exceptional leadership team, Marriott could not be in better hands,” he added.