Kenneth Rehmann “Checks In” At Lynn

Kenneth Rehmann, Global Officer of Finance & Operations of Marriott International, Visits Lynn as a Leadership Series Speaker

By Lisset Guillen, Assistant Editor, interviewed by Bruce Himelstein

 Kenneth Rehmann visited Lynn University on March 14, 2024, at Elaine’s as part of the Leadership Speaker Series to inform Lynn students about his experience working with Marriott International.

Rehmann has had many roles throughout his career, such as being a Certified Public Accountant at the University of Maryland, chair of the advisory board at the Robert H. Smith School of Business and serving as Chief Financial Officer of Asia Pacific Operations. “Right out of my undergraduate program, I went to work for Deloitte,” said Rehmann. “I had no formal hospitality training, but one of our clients was the Carlyle Group. Two of the Carlyle Group’s founders were ex-Marriot executives, which led me to Marriott.”

While working at Deloitte, a professional service offering advisory, tax, consulting, and audit services, Rehmann felt ready to move on, and use his skills to be a part of something bigger. 

“My academic training was in finance and accounting,” said Rehmann. “While I thought I knew a lot, I was thinking of how I could take the skills I learned and apply them to business. After 5 years, I learned I probably would not always be in consulting. Through Carlyle, I learned that Marriott was an amazing brand company, but also an amazing transaction company.”

Rehmann has always felt comfortable with finance. However, he has also kept an open mind by challenging himself with different job opportunities.

“I have been with Marriott for 35 years,” said Rehmann. “But I have worked in six discipline areas in my career. I started at finance and accounting, I moved into the global brand, joined the Ritz Carlton as the CFO, moved into Operations for Ritz Carlton and became the Chief Officer for Marriott. I was willing to jump out of my comfort zone and go into different areas.”

Now, Rehmann oversees 2,300 hotels in more than 137 countries. He credited his success to the mentors he had over his career and shared advice with hospitality students.

“Look to growth and look where these companies are growing,” said Rehmann. “That is where the capital is going to go and that is where the jobs will be. Don’t stop after you hit your undergraduate degree or graduate degree. Continue to learn under the environment you are in.”

Throughout the event, Rehmann also answered questions from the audience, which consisted of students and visitors alike. After the event, he stuck around to take photos and answer additional questions from students and iPulse Live. 

Students interested in attending future guest speaker events can find more information on the Blueprint app or website.