In a communication to employees, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer J.W.  Marriott, Jr. and President and Chief Operating Officer William J. Shaw said, "Today we have the most seasoned, talented, cohesive leadership team in our industry. The changes we are announcing provide an opportunity for strong leaders to broaden their experience further."

Arne M. Sorenson, currently executive vice president and chief financial officer, will assume the additional title of president, continental European lodging. He will be responsible for the operations and development of the continental European region in addition to his current responsibility for the company's finance, treasury and financial planning and analysis functions. Mr.  Sorenson will report jointly to Mr. Marriott and Mr. Shaw.

Reporting to Mr. Sorenson will be Karl Kilburg, senior vice president, international lodging operations and Kevin P. Kearney, executive vice president, lodging development - Europe. Mr. Kilburg will also report functionally to Edwin D. Fuller, who continues as president of international lodging operations reporting to Mr. Shaw. Mr. Kearney will also report functionally to James M. Sullivan, executive vice president of development.

John W. Marriott III, currently executive vice president, sales and marketing, will assume the position of executive vice president, lodging. He will be responsible for leading global sales and marketing, brand management and North American lodging operations. John Marriott will report to Mr. Shaw.

Reporting to John Marriott will be Robert J. McCarthy, who will assume the title of executive vice president, North American lodging operations. Mr.  McCarthy will take over direct responsibility for field operations and will continue to lead the operations, planning and support function. Also reporting to John Marriott will be Michael E. Jannini, executive vice president of Marriott brands, and John Marriott's current reports in global sales and marketing.

"Bill Shaw and I are very pleased with the process in place to develop Marriott's future leaders. We look forward to working closely with them for many years to come," said J.W. Marriott.

The company said that J.W. Marriott's and William Shaw's respective responsibilities remain unchanged, with Joseph Ryan, executive vice president and general counsel, and Mr. Sullivan continuing to report to Mr. Marriott. Mr.  Shaw remains responsible for all operational functions and divisions of the company worldwide.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. , a leading worldwide hospitality company with over 2,600 operating units in the United States and 65 other countries and territories.