Marriott names new president and managing director of European lodging

Marriott International, Inc. announced today that Amy C. McPherson, executive vice president of global sales and marketing, will become president and managing director of European lodging. The newly-created position aligns with Marriott’s strategic priority of accelerating worldwide growth and its ability to compete in the global economy.

Reporting to Arne Sorenson, the company’s newly-appointed president and chief operating officer (effective May 1), McPherson will be responsible for the performance and growth of a new division that combines the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Continental Europe. Following a transition period, she will relocate to Europe and begin her new role July 1.

“Amy brings a wealth of experience and a global perspective to this important position,” said Sorenson. “As one of our top leaders, she created a sales and marketing, eCommerce, reservations, and customer care organization that is truly world class. Her talents and business savvy will be instrumental in driving revenue and growth in this key region.”

Since joining Marriott in 1986, McPherson has held a variety of senior positions throughout the company with responsibilities in revenue management, finance, business development, and business transformation. She was instrumental in launching the company’s Look No Further Best Rate Guarantee ensuring consistent pricing across all sales channels, and more recently, led the development of Sales Force One, a breakthrough strategy to cross sell Marriott’s portfolio of brands and hotels.

Under McPherson’s leadership, Marriott.com became the seventh largest consumer retail website in the world, generating US$6.2 billion in gross property-level revenues in 2008, and the company’s global Marriott Rewards frequent guest program grew to more than 30 million members. In 2005, she was recognized as one of 25 outstanding “Women Who Mean Business” by the Washington Business Journal.

McPherson is a graduate of James Madison University in Virginia and holds a BBA degree in Business Management and Economics. She also earned an MBA degree from the College of William & Mary in Virginia.