Romney rejoins Marriott board

WASHINGTON — Former

Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate Mitt Romney has been

reappointed to Marriott International's board of directors, the

Bethesda, Md., hotel company announced Wednesday.

Romney, the

former chief executive of Bain Capital, served on Marriott's board for

10 years before resigning to run for governor in 2002. He was also

chief executive of the Salt Lake Winter Olympics Organizing Committee.

At Marriott, he will chair a newly formed finance committee, overseeing

the company's financial performance and how it spends money.

\"Gov.

Romney has repeatedly demonstrated leadership and courage in

successfully taking on difficult and complex issues in business,

government and the non-profit sector,\" Marriott chief executive Bill

Marriott said in a statement. \"He will provide strong guidance as our

company navigates the challenges of the dynamic global financial system

and economy.\"

The Marriott and Romney families, both devout Mormons,

have been close friends for decades, and they have summer homes nearby

each other on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. Both families also

have strong ties to the Republican Party. Marriott family members and

other company executives contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars

to Romney's recent presidential bid.

\"It is a great privilege to

be asked to rejoin the Marriott board and I look forward to serving

once again in that capacity,\" Romney said. \"Marriott became one of the