New Marriott execs in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa

Marriott International, Inc. continues to reorganize its global strategy to establish continental divisions in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa.

Marriott International, Inc. continues to reorganize its global strategy to establish continental divisions in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. To meet this end, two key leadership appointments have been announced.

Simon F. Cooper has been named president and managing director, Asia Pacific, and will be responsible for leading the operating performance and growth of the region, which includes more than 130 properties and 70 hotels under development represented by The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Marriott, Renaissance, Courtyard, and Marriott Executive Apartments brands.

Edwin D. Fuller will lead operations and growth in the Middle East and Africa in his continued role as president and managing director, Lodging International. He will also provide counsel on the companyโ€™s global growth strategy. Marriott plans to open 42 additional hotels in the Middle East and Africa region over the next three years. Both Mr. Cooper and Mr. Fuller will report to Arne Sorenson, president and chief operating officer, Marriott International.

Mr. Cooper will be based in Hong Kong and assumes his new role after leading the exceptional growth and performance of The Ritz-Carlton where he has served as president and chief operating officer for the past nine years.

โ€œSimon brings strong business savvy and deep knowledge of the emerging markets in Asia Pacific given the significant recent growth in the Asia portfolio for The Ritz-Carlton,โ€ said Sorenson. โ€œUnder his leadership, we achieved a major expansion of The Ritz-Carlton brand around the world and most recently positioned it for future growth through the leverage of our companyโ€™s global support platform.โ€

“Ed is highly respected throughout the industry and brings considerable expertise and contacts to our global operations,โ€ said Sorenson. โ€œAs a 38-year Marriott veteran, he was a principle leader in growing the Marriott portfolio from 16 international hotels to more than 400 in 68 countries outside North America and expanding our brands into new markets.”

In 2001, Mr. Cooper joined The Ritz-Carlton after serving three years as president of Marriott Lodging Canada and senior vice president of Marriott Lodging for Canada and New England. Prior to this, he was an executive with Delta Hotels. Born and educated in England, he earned an MBA from the University of Toronto and was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from Canadaโ€™s University of Guelph earlier this year.

Mr. Fuller attended Wake Forest University and is a graduate of Boston University and the Harvard Graduate School of Business advanced management program. He served as a trustee of Boston University and was recently appointed to the Universityโ€™s board of overseers. Mr. Fuller also serves as chairman of the advisory board for the University of California Irvine, Mirage School of Business and was appointed to the California State University Hospitality Industry advisory board. Earlier this year, he was named a commissioner of travel and tourism for the state of California. Mr. Fuller served in the US Army as a captain in Germany and Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star and the Army Commendation Medal.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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