Jim Kauffman, President, U.S. & Canada Full Service Hotels, To Retire
After 37 years of renowned service, Jim Kauffman, President of U.S. & Canada Full Service Hotels at Marriott International, has decided to retire at the end of the year.
It’s not easy to sum up Jim’s distinguished career in one announcement. Jim started with Marriott in 1977 as a sales manager. With his passion for service, he quickly grew his career in various leadership roles at the hotel, regional and corporate levels. He held several roles as General Manager, including assignments at the former Marriott Mandalay Hotel in Dallas and the Philadelphia Marriott. In addition, he was Market Vice President for Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware, Vice President, Market Management for Northern California, Regional Vice President for Marriott’s Franchise Division in Washington, D.C., and, Executive Vice President for the Western Region. In 2010, Jim was named Chief Operations Officer, The Americas, Western Region.
In his current role as President of U.S. & Canada Full Service Hotels, Jim is responsible for the strategy and on-property execution of hotels in the region. He has been an important partner in implementing products and services for our guests and for continued growth in North America.
While his different roles and titles are impressive, what is even more impressive about Jim is the contributions and impact he’s had on associates, franchisees, owners and business leaders. Many have benefited from Jim’s welcoming manner, results-oriented approach and coaching. His career is a testament to the performance and success he expects of himself and brings out in those around him. In this way, Jim is exemplary at how he embodies our company culture.
Besides his dedication to the company, Jim is very active in the hospitality industry. He serves on the board of the School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University, where he works closely with the administration and professors to inspire students to pursue careers in hospitality. He also serves on several other boards, including the Farmer School of Business at Miami University in Ohio, the Boston University School of Hospitality, and Visit California.
Please join Bill Marriott, Arne Sorenson and me in thanking Jim for his many contributions to Marriott over his illustrious career. We wish Jim, his wife, Ann, and their family much happiness and success in the future.
We are reviewing the longer-term implications of Jim’s retirement to The Americas organization. In the near term, we will provide the revised organizational structure and reporting relationships prior to Jim’s departure at the end of the year.
Warm regards,
Dave Grissen, Group President