J W Marriott Jr

Hotelier's father, J.W. Marriott Sr., opened Washington, D.C. root beer stand Hot Shoppe 1927. Expanded into catering, restaurants, hotels; opened first hotel, Twin Bridges, 1957. Group of hotels became Marriott International. Split company 1993 with brother, Richard, amid bondholder protest; Richard controls real estate investment trust Host Hotels & Resorts, Bill runs worldwide hotel operator and franchisor Marriott International. Higher gas prices, fewer vacations hurting lodging business; Marriott stock down 40% from February 2007 highs.