Mitt Romney has a new job, and, while he isn’t getting an Oval Office, the former GOP presidential hopeful may at least get a sweet discount on rooms at the Marriott.
Mitt Romney is rejoining the Marriott International’s board of directors, having been hitched to and having ditched the hotel chain twice before for his political ambitions.
Romney’s history with Marriott is a long one, and the Washington Post explains that he initially held the position from 1993 to 2002. In that year, he left the board to go campaign for the position of governor of Massachusetts, which he ultimately won.
After his governorship ended, Romney returned to the Marriott board between 2009 and 2011, but he again skipped out to campaign, this time setting his sights higher.
Although (as we know, Romney didn’t get the job in 2012), he had something to fall back on. And unlike the Republican Party, the Marriott brand doesn’t seem to mind being linked with the failed GOP candidate in public after his stunning loss in November.
The paper explains that Romney’s ties with the brand are of the long-lasting variety, saying:
“Romney has been connected to the Marriott dynasty all of his life. He was named after J.W. Marriott. Romney’s full name is Willard Mitt Romney and Marriott’s was John Willard Marriott. Marriott, who founded the company in 1927, was close friends with Romney’s father.”
In a statement issued by Marriott, Romney said :
“It is an honor to once again be able to serve in the company of leaders like Bill Marriott and Arne Sorenson and to support the work of the tens of thousands of Marriott associates who make Marriott International the renowned success that it is.”
J.W. Marriott, Jr. commented:
“We are delighted that Gov. Romney has agreed to rejoin our board, on which he has served with distinction twice before … We will benefit from his tremendous energy and capability to guide long-term success in an increasingly complex business environment.”
According to CNN, Marriott directors received a base pay of $60,000 and $110,000 in Marriott stock in 2011.
