Marriott International has filled top leadership positions on its newly formed Middle East & Africa regional team, based here in Dubai, announced Mark Satterfield, chief operations officer. They are:
- Jeff Strachan, promoted to vice president-sales & marketing for the Middle East & Africa. He formerly served as area marketing director for the region.
- Volker Heiden, named vice president-finance, Middle East & Africa. Prior to this appointment, he was regional vice president, chief financial officer of Marriott’s western region in the US.
- Paul Downing, appointed to the dual role of area vice president for Africa (a newly created position) and regional operations vice president for the Middle East & Africa. Previously, he was regional vice president of operations for the United Kingdom & the Middle East & Africa based in London.
- Nihad Kattan has been named area vice president for the Middle East. He formerly served as area vice president of the Middle East & Africa.
- Gary Dodds, appointed regional vice president of human resources for the Middle East & Africa. Previously, he was vice president of human resources for the United Kingdom & the Middle East & Africa based in London.

“We’re very excited about the team we’ve assembled. All these gentlemen bring a wealth of knowledge and professional expertise to their respective positions. As we grow our presence in the region to more than 70 properties over the next five years, their energy, creativity and leadership will be invaluable in helping us implement our strategies and achieve our objectives,” said Mr. Satterfield.

In the Middle East & Africa, Marriott International is currently represented by its luxury JW Marriott, upscale Marriott and Renaissance, upper-moderately-price Courtyard by Marriott and Marriott Executive Apartment hotel brands in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. Over the next five years, the company will open hotels in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Ghana, Libya, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.