December 5, 2012 - Recognizing the importance of Mexico as a destination and source market for its global portfolio of hotels, Marriott International (NYSE:MAR) has named company veteran Kevin Schwab, who has spent more than a third of his 30-year career in Mexico, as the country’s first-ever market Vice President.

“Mexico is one of Marriott International’s largest, most important and dynamic international markets, making the country well positioned for a dedicated manager to promote further growth and ensure the service and quality levels of our brands remain best-in-class. Kevin’s commitment to operational and service excellence and his deep knowledge of the Mexico market make him an excellent fit”, said David Grissen, President of the Americas at Marriott International.

Schwab joined Marriott in 1982 as a sous chef at the Biscayne Bay Marriott in Miami. In 1988, he was promoted to executive chef at the Crystal City Marriott just outside Washington, DC and was subsequently named executive chef and director of restaurants and bars at the CasaMagna Marriott Cancun. In 1996, Schwab was director of food and beverage at the JW Marriott Mexico City and the Marriott Mexico City Airport. Two years later, he was promoted to director of operations at the Marriott Mexico City Airport and then to hotel general manager.

In 2000, Schwab was named area director of operations for the Caribbean and Latin America headquarters in Weston, Florida. He then returned to Latin America to serve as general manager at the Panama City Marriott, JW Marriott Mexico City and The Ritz-Carlton San Juan Hotel before serving a stint in Asia as vice president and managing director of The Ritz-Carlton Macao Studio City.

Most recently, Kevin served successfully as vice president and general manager of the Aruba Marriott Resort: he was named general manager of the year, his property was the first outside the United States to win Marriott’s coveted Breakthrough Leadership Training award, and he was instrumental in the successful launch of the training program throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.

About Marriott International, Inc.
Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA with more than 3,700 properties in 73 countries and territories and reported revenues of over $12 billion in fiscal year 2011. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under the following brands: Marriott Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Bulgari, EDITION, Renaissance, Gaylord Hotels, Autograph Collection, AC Hotels by Marriott, Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Marriott Executive Apartments, Marriott Vacation Club, Grand Residences by Marriott, and The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club. There are approximately 300,000 employees at headquarters, managed and franchised properties. Marriott is consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business operations, which it conducts based on five core values: put people first, pursue excellence, embrace change, act with integrity, and serve our world. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.