Tim Sheldon & Ray Bennett Appointed to New Leadership Positions
I am pleased to announce two appointments on my team that will take effect June 15.
Tim Sheldon has been appointed President of the Caribbean & Latin America (CALA) region. Tim will have responsibility for the leadership, operations, growth and financial management of hotels in CALA. Currently, CALA has close to one hundred hotels and we anticipate significant growth with over sixty hotels planned for development. Tim’s prior hotel operations and brand experience make him well suited for this position. Tim began his Marriott career as the General Manager at the Residence Inn Fort Wayne followed by General Manager positions at Residence Inn hotels in Pittsburgh, PA and Cincinnati, OH.
Currently, Tim is the Chief Global Officer for the Global Operations team. Recently, under Tim’s leadership, his organization led the successful global rollout of guestVoice and mobile check-in and check-out. Prior to this role, Tim was the Executive Vice President for Global Brand Management and Lodging Operations where he was responsible for the management of nearly five hundred Select Service and Extended Stay hotels. Also, he served as Senior Vice President and Brand Manager for the Select Service and Extended Stay portfolio, leading Marriott’s entry into the moderate-tier extended-stay space with the development of the TownePlace Suites brand.
Given Tim’s proven track record of growing brands and operational excellence, I’m confident his leadership will drive further growth in the CALA region. Tim will relocate to Weston, FL where the CALA regional team is located.
Ray Bennett has been appointed Chief Global Officer, Global Operations where he will be accountable for the design, development and deployment of products and services across all brands and continents. Additionally, he will oversee the process for the company’s brand standards, quality assurance program and operations policies and procurement.
In his current role as Chief Lodging Services (CLS) Officer, The Americas, Ray leads the development and implementation of product and service strategies across more than 3,400 hotels in the Americas. In addition, Ray serves as the business partner to the Americas’ Chief Operations Officers and Area Vice Presidents. Under his leadership, CLS reinvigorated the Full Service GM Advisory Council to ensure hotel leadership’s input on shaping and planning how initiatives roll out to properties. He also launched the brand-specific Game Plans to help prioritize work for hotels. In addition, he was instrumental in developing and testing innovative concepts such as the MClub Lounge and F&B On Demand.
Previously, Ray was the Area Vice President, Midwest States in the Western Region and held various roles including: Senior Vice President, Lodging Development; Area Vice President, Lodging Development; and General Manager, Residence Inn Pentagon City. Prior to Marriott, he worked for the Pepsi Bottling Group and held various leadership positions.
I look forward to seeing the impact Ray’s focus on operational efficiency and innovation will have on how we develop and implement products and services globally.
Join me in congratulating both Tim and Ray and wishing them continued success in their new roles.
Best regards,
Dave Grissen
Group President