J Willard Marriott Jr
Chairman & CEO, Marriott International, Inc

J.W. Marriott, Jr. is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Marriott International, Inc., one of the world's largest lodging companies. Mr. Marriott joined the company in 1956 and was named President in 1964. He was elected Chief Executive Officer in 1972 and Chairman of the Board in 1985.

During his career, he has taken Marriott from a family restaurant business to a global lodging company with more than 2,600 properties across 17 distinctive brands in 66 countries. Known throughout the industry as an innovator with a hands-on management style, Mr. Marriott has built a highly regarded corporate culture that emphasizes the importance of people and the value they bring to the organization.

Mr. Marriott is a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Promotional Advisory Board, a member of the executive committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council and a member of the National Business Council. He is also Chairman of the President's Export Council, a presidential advisory committee on export trade, and serves as Chairman of the Leadership Council of the Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries.