Marriott International, Inc. has been selected as one of the 2004 "Best Companies for Executive Women," by the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE), a major association for women professionals and business owners. Marriott is the only lodging company on the list, and one of only two companies from the Washington, D.C., area to be recognized.

For companies to be selected as among the top 30 this year, NAFE focused on the number of women in the management pipeline, as well as those already holding senior positions. It also looked for programs and policies that ensure training and job rotation and enforce accountability for women's success.

"We are delighted to be named to this prestigious list and very proud to be recognized for successfully providing opportunities for talented women to help drive our company's growth," said Brendan Keegan, executive vice president, human resources, Marriott International.

In the past five years (1998-2003), the percentage of women in executive positions increased more than 70 percent. Almost half of the company's managers are women.

To help employees balance their personal and professional lives, Marriott offers a broad variety of career and work/life benefits such as flex time; childcare discounts; education and training; an on-site child development center at headquarters; and referral services for child, elder and family care issues. The company's regional women's leadership conferences bring women together for networking, training and idea sharing.

The National Association for Female Executives, founded in 1972, is owned by Working Mother Media, which also operates Working Mother and NAFE magazines.

Other recent awards recognizing Marriott as a great place to work include:

• Working Mother Magazine – Ranked Marriott one of the "Best Companies for Working Mothers."
• Fortune Magazine – Named Marriott one of the "Best 100 Companies to Work for," one of the "Top 50 Companies for Minorities," and one of the "Most Admired Companies in America."
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) – Ranked Marriott number one in the organization's annual lodging industry report card.
• Latina Style Magazine – Named Marriott one of "The 50 Best Companies for Latinas to Work For in the U.S."
• Washingtonian Magazine – Selected Marriott as a "Great Place to Work."