Marriott International today announced that long-time senior executive Dave Grissen has decided to step down from his position as Group President, the Americas, towards the end of 2020 and retire from Marriott in the first quarter of 2021, after 36 years with the company.
Liam Brown will take on the role of Group President, North America and Craig S. Smith will take on the role of Group President, International. In his new role as Group President, International, Smith will oversee all non-North American operations for Marriott including the Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East & Africa and Caribbean & Latin America (CALA) regions.
Smith, a 32-year Marriott veteran, is currently Group President, Asia Pacific. Prior to his current role, he spent two and a half years leading the company’s CALA region.
Brown is currently Group President, Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA). A 30-year Marriott veteran, he has spent the majority of his career working in the U.S. prior to taking over leadership of the EMEA region. Brown was President, Europe, and prior to that, President, Select Brands and Owner and Franchise Services, North America, and he remains well connected to the company’s North American owners.
