Kathleen Matthews Named Executive Vice President - Global Communications and Public Affairs for Marriott International

WASHINGTON, July 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott International, Inc. today announced that Kathleen Matthews, award-winning news anchor, reporter and producer of ABC News 7 (WJLA-TV) in Washington, D.C., has been appointed the company's executive vice president - global communications and public affairs, beginning December 1. She will report to J.W. Marriott, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer. Matthews succeeds Charlotte B. Sterling, executive vice president-communications, who will retire at year- end.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060710/DCM044 )

"I am delighted to announce that Kathleen will be joining our senior executive leadership team," said Mr. Marriott. "She brings a unique, impressive and deep expertise to our company as an award-winning, respected and highly visible journalist. Importantly, Kathleen also is a committed citizen active in, and dedicated to, our diverse community and its quality of life.

"Having reported on the events of our time and community over the past 30 years, Kathleen has long been recognized for her keen judgment and the ability to communicate effectively to wide and disparate audiences, whether anchoring the news, making critical news decisions or her leadership with community groups. She has enjoyed an exceptional career at ABC 7, and I am enormously pleased she is assuming such an important leadership role with Marriott."

"I also want to acknowledge the tremendous contributions of Charlotte Sterling over the past 10 years. Since joining Marriott in 1996, Charlotte has forged one of the best communications teams in the corporate world, and played a critical role in earning the exceptional reputation our company enjoys today. We wish Charlotte and her family great happiness and all the best," said Mr. Marriott.

Ms. Matthews said, "I am thrilled to accept this senior leadership role with Marriott International. This is an exciting, unexpected chance to work for an American business visionary and leader of character. Thanks to Mr. Marriott, I will be contributing strategically to a global powerhouse of 2,800 hotels worldwide, but also to an admired home-town company with deep roots in the community. I have had 30 tremendous years working for the Allbrittons, who gave me unrivaled opportunity. I will miss them and the exceptional team of journalists at ABC-7."

Matthews has anchored the evening news at ABC-7 for 15 years. She is also co-host of "Capital Sunday," a high profile half-hour show focusing on current events in the nation's capital. For five years, Matthews was host and executive editor of "Working Woman," an internationally syndicated magazine talk show, seen in 75 markets in the U.S.A.

A graduate of Stanford University, she was a teaching fellow at Harvard University's Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School of Government in 2004.

In her 30 year career in broadcast news, Matthews has been awarded nine local Emmys. Other prestigious awards include the Edward R. Murrow, George Foster Peabody, Associated Press, Women in Communication and Gracie Allen Award from the American Women in Radio and Television. She was named a Washingtonian of the Year in 2001.

Highly involved in the community, Matthews is President of the National Council for the Shakespeare Theatre, Mt. Vernon National Advisory Board and serves on the boards of the Academy of Achievement, Catholic Charities Foundation, The Black Student Fund and Suited for Change, which provides clothing for women moving from welfare to work.

Kathleen and her husband, Chris, have three children, Michael, 23, Thomas, 20, and Caroline, 17.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. is a leading lodging company with nearly 2,800 lodging properties in the United States and 66 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club International, Horizons, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. It is ranked as the lodging industry's most admired company and one of the best places to work for by Fortune(R) magazine. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has approximately 143,000 employees at 2005 year-end. In fiscal year 2005, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $11.6 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at http://www.marriott.com/.