Marriott reflects on 40 years leading hotel giant

Q: Arne Sorenson will be the third CEO in the company's 85-year-history and the first one not named Marriott. How does it feel to turn over the reins to somebody outside your family?

A: He came to work here 15 years ago and he's done everything. He's a very good person, a great family guy and very capable. He understands the culture, accepts it and buys into it.

Q: What is that culture?

A: It's very important that our employees feel good about the job, feel good about the boss and feel good about the company.

Q: Do you think there'll ever be a day where one of your children or grandchildren takes over as CEO?

A: We'll let Arne run the thing for a while before I go down that road, but I would hope some time, maybe, they would be.

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Scott Mayerowitz can be reached at http://twitter.com/GlobeTrotScott.