J. W. "Bill" Marriott Jr.

(March 25, 1932 - )

J. W. "Bill" Marriott, Jr. was born on March 25, 1932 in Washington, D.C. He learned his father's hand-on-management approach by working in his parent's Hot Shoppes restaurant chain during his high school and college years. He graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in banking and finance, and joined the company full-time in 1956. Just eight months later, he took over the company's Twin Bridges Motor Hotel in Washington, D.C., which was the company's first venture into the lodging industry.

Elected president of Marriott Corporation in 1964 at the age of 32, Bill Marriott convinced his father that to achieve growth meant taking on debt. During the next three years, Marriott became an international company by acquiring an airline catering kitchen in Venezuela, and expanded its restaurant operations to include the Big Boy restaurant chain and the Roy Rogers fast food division.

Bill Marriott succeeded his father as chief executive officer in 1972. The company continued to grow through acquisitions and by developing new lodging brands. Courtyard by Marriott was introduced in 1983 as the company's second lodging brand. Marriott entered the vacation timeshare business the following year. In 1985, he assumed the role of chairman of the corporation after his father's death. Marriott Corporation restructured to sharpen its focus on lodging, senior living and contract services, selling its fast food and family restaurants.

In 1993, Marriott split into two separate companies, Marriott International, a lodging and services management company, and Host Marriott Corporation, which focused on real estate and airport concessions. Marriott's lodging brands continued to grow with the acquisition of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. In 1996, Host Marriott Services Corporation was formed when Host Marriott Corporation divided to separate its real estate and airport concessions.

Today, Marriott International employs approximately 142,500 people and operates nearly 2,400 lodging properties in the United States and 63 other countries and territories. Major brands and businesses include: J.W. Marriott Hotels; Marriott Hotels, Resorts & Suites; Renaissance Hotels, Resorts & Suites; Courtyard by Marriott; Residence Inn; Fairfield Inn; TownePlace Suites; SpringHill Suites; The Ritz-Carlton Hotels & Resorts; Ramada International Hotels & Resorts; Marriott Conference Centers; vacation club (timeshare) resorts; senior living communities and services; and food service distribution.

Bill Marriott faithfully follows a set of simple business principles developed by his father. "Take care of your employees and they'll take good care of your customers." "Provide customers with good service and a quality product at a fair price." "Stay in close touch with your business and always strive for success and never be satisfied."

Bill Marriott has given of his time through numerous organizations, such as serving on the board of trustees of the Mayo Foundation, Georgetown University, and the National Geographic Society. He is also on the President's Advisory Committee of the American Red Cross and the Executive Committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council. He has been with his wife, Donna, for over 40 years, and has given generously his time and financial resources to his church and community.

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