Marriott vs Samsung: Founders, CEOs and History
Marriott was founded in 1927 by J. Willard Marriott, Alice Sheets Marriott and is led by Anthony Capuano. Samsung was founded in 1969 by Lee Byung-chul and is led by Jun Young-hyun and Roh Tae-moon.
Company facts
Founders
Marriott
J. Willard Marriott
Marriott possesses a humble, American founding story, rooted not in glamorous luxury real estate, but in the grueling, hot summers of Washington D.C. and a religious commitment to hospitality. The company was founded in 1927 in Washington D.C. by J.
Alice Sheets Marriott
Alice Sheets Marriott was an essential partner in building the foundation of what became Marriott International.
Samsung
Lee Byung-chul
Lee Byung-chul founded Samsung Sanghoe in Daegu in 1938, trading dried fish, produce and noodles.
CEOs and their tenures
Marriott
- J. W. Marriott Jr.1972–2012
Chief Executive Officer
During his 60-year tenure, he grew the company from a regional restaurant and lodging business into a global hospitality empire before retiring as Executive Chairman in 2022.
Source - Arne Sorenson2012–2021
Chief Executive Officer
He successfully integrated the massive Bonvoy loyalty program and navigated the immediate devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic before his death in 2021.
Source - Anthony Capuano2021–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
President and CEO since February 2021. Capuano joined Marriott in 1995 and led global development before becoming CEO, steering the company through the pandemic recovery, the 2023 City Express brand acquisition, midscale brand launches and record pipeline grow…
Source - David Marriott2023–present
Chairman of the Board
He oversees the board's strategic expansion into luxury all-inclusive resorts and short-term apartment rentals to combat Airbnb.
Source - Jen Mason2026–present
Chief Financial Officer
Became CFO after Leeny Oberg retired effective March 31, 2026.
Source
Samsung
- Jong-Hee Han2022–2025
Vice Chairman and CEO
A longtime TV business leader who helped keep Samsung the top global TV brand. He died suddenly in March 2025 while in office.
Source - Jay Y. Lee2022–present
Executive Chairman
Grandson of the founder and son of Lee Kun-hee. He was convicted in the 2017 bribery case and pardoned in 2022, and became Executive Chairman in October 2022. In 2025 the Supreme Court upheld his acquittal in the separate merger and accounting fraud case.
Source - Jun Young-hyun2024–present
Vice Chairman, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Head of Device Solutions
He implemented a complete overhaul of the semiconductor division's engineering processes, issuing a rare public apology in 2024 for the company's technological delays.
Source - Roh Tae-moon (TM Roh)2025–present
Co-Chief Executive Officer, Head of Device eXperience
As head of the MX (Mobile eXperience) division, he heavily integrated AI features (Galaxy AI) into the S-series flagship phones to combat Apple's dominance in the premium tier.
Source
Timeline: Marriott and Samsung side by side
1927Marriott
The Root Beer Stand That Started It All
J. Willard and Alice Marriott open an A&W Root Beer franchise on 14th Street NW in Washington, D.C. On May 20, 1927 the same day Charles Lindbergh completes the first solo transatlantic flight.
1937Marriott
Airline Catering Pioneer
Marriott signs one of the country's first airline catering contracts with Eastern Air Lines, establishing commissary kitchens near airports to prepare in-flight meals.
1938Samsung
Samsung Group begins
Lee Byung-chul founded Samsung as a trading company before later generations expanded the group into electronics and industry.
1953Marriott
Hot Shoppes Goes Public
Hot Shoppes, Inc. sold shares to the public for the first time, giving the family restaurant chain capital for expansion.
1957Marriott
First Hotel Opens in Arlington, Virginia
Marriott opened the Twin Bridges Motor Hotel in Arlington, Virginia, its first hotel and the start of the lodging business that would later define the company.
1967Marriott
Company Renames as Marriott Corporation
Hot Shoppes, Inc. Renames itself Marriott Corporation to reflect the growing importance of the lodging division relative to the restaurant business.
1969Samsung
Samsung Electronics established
Samsung Electronics Industry Co. Ltd. was established as the group entered electronics manufacturing.
1972Marriott
J.W. Marriott Jr. Becomes CEO
Bill Marriott, son of the founders, became CEO and led the company for four decades, building the multi-brand portfolio and the franchising and management model.
1977Samsung
Korea Semiconductor acquired
Samsung acquired Korea Semiconductor, a key step toward memory and component manufacturing leadership.
1993Marriott
Historic Split Creates the Asset-Light Model
Marriott Corporation undergoes one of the most consequential restructurings in American corporate history, splitting into two independent companies: Host Marriott Corporation (which retains the physical hotel real estate and debt) and Marriott International (w…
1993Samsung
New Management initiative
Lee Kun-hee launched the New Management push to raise quality, design, and global competitiveness.
1997Marriott
Renaissance Hotels Acquisition
Marriott acquires Renaissance Hotel Group for approximately $1 billion, adding the Renaissance Hotels, Ramada International, and New World hotel brands to its portfolio.
2016Marriott
Landmark Starwood Acquisition
Marriott completes its $13.6 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide the largest hotel merger in history adding 11 brands (including Sheraton, Westin, W Hotels, St.
2017Samsung
Harman acquisition closes
Samsung completed the Harman acquisition, expanding into connected car systems and premium audio.
2018Marriott
Catastrophic Starwood Data Breach
Marriott discloses that the Starwood guest reservation database acquired in the 2016 merger had been compromised since 2014, exposing the personal data of up to 500 million guests including passport numbers, payment card details, and travel itineraries.
2019Marriott
Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Program Launches
Marriott consolidates the Marriott Rewards, Ritz-Carlton Rewards, and Starwood Preferred Guest programs into the unified Marriott Bonvoy platform, creating one of the world's largest travel loyalty ecosystems.
2021Marriott
Anthony Capuano Named CEO
Anthony Capuano became CEO in February 2021, succeeding Arne Sorenson, who died of pancreatic cancer. Capuano, a Marriott veteran since 1995 who previously led global development, took over during the pandemic travel collapse.
2022Samsung
Jong-Hee Han becomes CEO
Jong-Hee Han became CEO of Samsung Electronics Co. in 2022. A longtime TV business leader who helped keep Samsung the top global TV brand.
2024Samsung
Jun Young-hyun becomes CEO
Jun Young-hyun became CEO of Samsung Electronics Co. in 2024. Head of the semiconductor (Device Solutions) division and memory business; sole CEO for part of 2025 after Han Jong-hee's death, then co-CEO with TM Roh from November 2025.
2025Marriott
FY2025 Revenue of $26.186 Billion
Marriott reported $26.186 billion in revenue and $2.601 billion in net income, grew net rooms over 4.3% and returned more than $4.0 billion to shareholders.
2025Samsung
TM Roh joins Young Hyun Jun as co-CEO
Samsung named TM Roh Head of Device eXperience and CEO, joining Young Hyun Jun as co-CEO.
2025Samsung
Annual revenue reaches ~$237B (KRW 333.6T)
Samsung Electronics reported ~$237 billion (KRW 333.6 trillion) in 2025 annual revenue and ~$31 billion (KRW 43.6 trillion) in operating profit.
2025Samsung
Roh Tae-moon (TM Roh) becomes CEO
Roh Tae-moon (TM Roh) became CEO of Samsung Electronics Co. in 2025. Longtime head of the mobile business.
2026Marriott
Jennifer Mason Becomes CFO
Jennifer C. Mason became Marriott's Chief Financial Officer after Leeny Oberg retired effective March 31, 2026.
2026Marriott
Marriott Passes 10,000 Properties
Marriott opened the JW Marriott Ranthambore Resort & Spa in India in June 2026, marking its 10,000th property worldwide.
Acquisitions
Marriott
- City Express Hotels (Hoteles City Express)2023$100M
- Elegant Hotels Group2019Undisclosed
- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide2016$13.6B
- Renaissance Hotel Group1997$1B
- Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company1995$200M
Samsung
- FlaktGroup2025$1.7B
- Xealth2025Undisclosed
- Harman International2017$8B
- SmartThings2014$200M
Questions about Marriott vs Samsung
Who is the CEO of Marriott International and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Marriott International is led by Anthony Capuano and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is led by Jun Young-hyun and Roh Tae-moon. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Marriott International founded vs Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Marriott International was founded in 1927 — 42 years before Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., which was founded in 1969. Marriott International's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd..
How many employees does Marriott International have compared to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Marriott International employs approximately 148,000 people, while Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. employs approximately 259,149. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has the larger workforce at 259,149 employees, compared to Marriott International's 148,000. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Marriott International and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. headquartered?
Marriott International is headquartered in United States and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is headquartered in South Korea. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Marriott International and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Marriott International was founded by J. Willard Marriott, Alice Sheets Marriott. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. was founded by Lee Byung-chul.
Which company has a longer operating history — Marriott International or Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Marriott International has been operating for approximately 99 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has been in operation for around 57 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Marriott vs Samsung overview