Ed Fuller to exit Marriott International

Ed Fuller most recently played an integral role in Marriott's operations in the MEA region in the midst of regional turbulence

Marriott International has confirmed that Ed Fuller, president and managing director of International Lodging, and the man who led the hotel brand’s rapid global expansion, will retire in March, 2012.
Fuller led operations for the company’s growth outside of North America from 16 hotels to more than 550 in 70 countries today, and spearheaded approximately 175 hotels currently under development outside the US.
Most recently he has played an integral role in Marriott’s operations in the Middle East and Africa in the midst of major regional turbulence.
"We will miss Ed's insights and tremendous grasp of the industry as we continue the global growth for which he was a powerful advocate. We wish him continued great success as he travels the road ahead," said Marriott's president and chief operating officer Arne Sorenson.
Upon retirement, Fuller plans to serve as an adjunct professor at the Paul Merage Graduate School of Business at the University of California Irvine and as visiting professor at Boston University.
He will also be president of Laguna Strategic Advisors LLC, in addition to his continued work with business and charity boards, according to Marriott.
Fuller joined the company in 1972 and was appointed chief sales and marketing officer for Marriott Hotels in 1977. He also served as general manager of key hotels in north-east America.
Assuming leadership of Marriott’s international lodging operations in 1991 as senior vice president and managing director, Fuller was promoted to executive vice president and then named president and managing director in 1997.
A graduate of Boston University, Fuller had also attended Wake Forest University and completed the Harvard Graduate School of Business Advanced Management Programme. He went on to serve as a captain in the US Army in Germany and Vietnam, and was awarded the Bronze Star and the Army Commendation Medal.

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