Stephen Garff Marriott, Executive Vice President for Culture at Marriott International, the global hotel company founded by his grandparents in 1927, passed away on Sunday, June 23, 2013, after a prolonged battle with a degenerative mitochondrial disease. He was 54 years old.
In his most recent role, Stephen led Marriott Worldwide Business Councils and was responsible for perpetuating Marriott’s core values and culture throughout the company.
His father, Marriott International Executive Chairman J.W. “Bill” Marriott, Jr., said, “Stephen was an inspiration to us every day as he struggled with a challenging disease that cost him his eyesight and hearing, and he never complained. He came to work right until the end to champion the values that his grandparents established when they opened their first root beer stand. Stephen was convinced that our Marriott culture was our greatest competitive advantage. His wife and children will remember his ability to find joy and happiness, despite his daily hardships.”
Stephen’s career with the company spanned 38 years, beginning in 1975, when he worked at the Bethesda, Md., Roy Rogers restaurant as a cook.