Day-to-day running of Marriott International will be split across two senior company executives to allow company CEO, Arne Sorenson, to take time off for further treatment for pancreatic cancer, the company announced this week.
Sorenson has maintained his regular schedule following his initial 2019 diagnosis but will now temporarily step back from his full-time duties for a new round of treatment in consultation with his medical team at Johns Hopkins University Hospital. He will remain Marriott International’s President and CEO and will also stay on the Board of Directors.
While treatment is underway, Marriott has delegated Sorenson’s day-to-day responsibilities to roup President, Consumer Operations, Technology and Emerging Businesses, Stephanie Linnartz, and Group President, Global Development, Design and Operations Services, Tony Capuano.
Linnartz will temporarily oversee the company’s international lodging division along with its Legal, Human Resources, Communications and Public Affairs teams. Capuano will take charge of the US and Canada lodging division along with Finance. Both executives have been with Marriott International for more than 20 years.
Sorenson said he will remain involved in the company as much as his treatment schedule allows, adding that Stephanie and Tony will work with the executive team to move the company forward prior to his full-time return at a later date.
“Since my diagnosis, I’ve been working with a great medical team at Johns Hopkins to treat this cancer,” Sorenson said.
“While I have worked throughout my treatment to date and plan to remain as engaged in the business as my health allows, the right thing to do for me, my family and the company is to focus on my health.
Marriott International Chairman, J.W. Marriott Jnr, said he has full confidence in Stephanie and Tony to “not miss a beat” in the company’s daily operations.