Arne M. Sorenson has been the President of Marriott International, Inc., since May 1, 2009 with responsibility for the performance and growth of all of its worldwide brands and businesses. Sorenson has been the Chief Executive Officer of Marriott International, Inc., since March 31, 2012. Sorenson served as the President of Continental European Lodging at Marriott International Inc. since January 2003 and served as its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 1998 to May 1, 2009 and was responsible for lodging operations and development in the continental European region, as well as its finance, treasury and financial planning and analysis functions. He served as the Chief Operating Officer of Marriott International, Inc. since May 1, 2009. He served as the Principal Accounting Officer at Marriott International Inc. He joined Marriott in 1996 as Senior Vice President of Business Development. He was instrumental in Marriott International Inc.'s acquisition of Renaissance Hotel Group in 1997. He was a Partner in the law firm of Latham & Watkins in Washington, D.C., where Sorenson played a key role from 1992 to 1993 in the distribution of Marriott by Marriott and specialized in mergers and acquisitions litigation. In 2008, he launched Marriott's rainforest preservation partnership with the Amazonas Sustainable Foundation in Brazil. He co-chairs Green Council of Marriott. He has been a Director of Corporation for Travel Promotion (aka: Brand USA) since September 13, 2012. He has been a Director of Marriott International, Inc. since February 2011. He served as an Independent Director of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. from June 6, 2008 to May 3, 2013. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School and a Bachelor Degree from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.