Presenting 2024 Hotelie Hall of Fame Story - Stephen P. Weisz ‘72

For those who have had the pleasure of knowing Steve Weisz both personally and professionally, all will agree that “Weisz” and “Marriott” go together like love and marriage.  After a 50-plus year career with Marriott, it is a well-earned comparison.

Steve Weisz decided to join Marriott after a personal encounter with Bill Marriott himself.  Weisz had interviewed with the company during his last semester at the Hotel School.  While he was interested in Marriott, he was not sure about the company’s interest in him.  That’s because when Hotel Ezra Cornell (HEC), the students’ annual showcase, rolled around in April, Weisz had still not heard from the company, which had misplaced his application.

Weisz was managing director of HEC that year, and in that capacity he interacted with several Marriott executives, including Bus Ryan ’54, Bud Grice ’53, and Bill Marriott personally, who was serving on a panel at the event.  At one point during the weekend, Grice and Ryan pulled Weisz aside and asked if he was joining the company.  When Weisz replied that he did not have a job offer, they were dumbfounded.  They assured Weisz that he did, in fact, have an offer.