Celebrating One of Marriott's Finest - Bill Shaw to Retire After 37 Years
Since Bill Shaw joined us 37 years ago in 1974, he has been a tremendous influence in building our company to where we are today. He became corporate controller in 1979, treasurer in 1986, chief financial officer in 1988, and president & chief operating officer in 1997. I can’t think of a better partner than Bill as we have evolved from a hodge-podge conglomerate with at least 12 totally different businesses back in 1974 to today focus on hotels and timeshare.
Bill has been an outstanding counselor and advisor to me. He has led the way in entering and exiting more businesses than I can even remember. He has always been into the details. One of our former executives – Steve Bollenbach – once told me, "Bill Shaw studies every detail of every financial proposal that comes across his desk. When does he ever sleep?" Whenever there has been a tough financial decision that needs to be made, Bill has dived deeply into all the numbers and has always come up with the right answers His people skills are equally outstanding. I have greatly valued his listening ability as he spends hour after hour listening to the ideas and concerns of our senior executives. His patience is endless.
Bill has been an outstanding counselor and advisor to me. He has led the way in entering and exiting more businesses than I can even remember. He has always been into the details. One of our former executives – Steve Bollenbach – once told me, "Bill Shaw studies every detail of every financial proposal that comes across his desk. When does he ever sleep?" Whenever there has been a tough financial decision that needs to be made, Bill has dived deeply into all the numbers and has always come up with the right answers His people skills are equally outstanding. I have greatly valued his listening ability as he spends hour after hour listening to the ideas and concerns of our senior executives. His patience is endless.
In my 55 plus years, I have been challenged by many hard charging overachievers who were hard to satisfy as far as compensation and paths to stardom. In his 37 years, Bill has never once challenged me in this area. Back in 1990 when we were in serious financial stress, Bill’s efforts reduced our costs, increased our cash flow and pulled us out of the mess we were in. When I told him that the board had awarded him an extra bonus, he was shocked and asked, "Why would they do that? Can we really afford it?"
Bill Shaw is one of the finest people I have ever met and worked with. Bill, you’re a great friend and a real class act. I will miss your counsel, wisdom and our wonderful times together, but I know we’ll stay connected as friends and colleagues.
Bill has been an outstanding counselor and advisor to me. He has led the way in entering and exiting more businesses than I can even remember. He has always been into the details. One of our former executives – Steve Bollenbach – once told me, "Bill Shaw studies every detail of every financial proposal that comes across his desk. When does he ever sleep?" Whenever there has been a tough financial decision that needs to be made, Bill has dived deeply into all the numbers and has always come up with the right answers His people skills are equally outstanding. I have greatly valued his listening ability as he spends hour after hour listening to the ideas and concerns of our senior executives. His patience is endless.
Bill Shaw is one of the finest people I have ever met and worked with. Bill, you’re a great friend and a real class act. I will miss your counsel, wisdom and our wonderful times together, but I know we’ll stay connected as friends and colleagues.
