Jim Kauffman, President U.S. & Canada Full Service Hotels at Marriott International , will retire at the end of the year, after 37 years of service with the company.
Mr. Kauffman joined Marriott in 1977 as a sales manager. With his passion for service, he quickly grew his career in various leadership roles at the hotel, regional and corporate levels. He held several roles as general manager, including assignments at the former Marriott Mandalay Hotel in Dallas and the Philadelphia Marriott. In addition, he was market vice president for Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware; vice president, Market Management for Northern California; regional vice president for Marriott’s franchise division in Washington, D.C.; and executive vice president for the Western Region. In 2010, Mr. Kauffman was named chief operations officer, The Americas, Western Region.
In his current role as president for full service hotels in the U.S. & Canada, Mr. Kauffman is responsible for the strategy and its execution at hotels in the region. He has played an important role in implementing products and services for guests and for continued growth in North America.
“Jim’s career is a testament to the performance and success he expects of himself and brings out in those around him, including associates, owners and business leaders,” said Dave Grissen, group president, Marriott International. “With his welcoming manner, results-oriented approach and talent for coaching others, Jim is an exemplary example of someone who embodies our company culture.”
In addition to his career at Marriott, Mr. Kauffman has been very active in the hospitality industry community. He serves on the board of the School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University where his passion is to inspire students to pursue careers in hospitality. He also serves on several other boards including the Farmer School of Business at Miami University in Ohio; Boston University School of Hospitality; as well as Visit California.
