Age: 39, Senior Director, Global eCommerce Channels
Marriott International, Inc., Bethesda, Md.
Since 2000, Oral D. Muir has worked on growing Marriott International Inc.?s online business. He has led negotiations with the major online travel sites and developed strategies to leverage new technologies. He developed and launched Marriott Mobile, a wireless channel for Marriott customers. Now, Muir, 39, is the company?s senior director of Global eCommerce Channels, leading a global team to capture online consumer sales and overseeing business development for the eCommerce group.
Muir considers himself fortunate to have lived in Jamaica until he was 12. ?World view shapes a lot of things,? he explains, ?and I grew up with Black folks in all the leadership roles.? Hence, his genuine belief that anything is possible. He obtained a bachelor?s degree in political science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and a master?s in management from John Hopkins University?s Carey Business School.
Muir volunteers with local organizations, such as NextGen Network, a professional development organization that also provides scholarships to college-bound high-school seniors. In 1995, he co-founded Weinberg Consulting Group?s Building STEPS program, which mentored high-school students in an effort to identify and develop new talent for scientific and high-tech careers. He notes, ?It is a great feeling when you are able to tangibly point to something that you did to improve the trajectory of someone?s life.?
While Muir enjoys the rare opportunity to unwind with his wife of 15 years, or a round of golf, he believes there is still much to accomplish and continues to work on improving himself and those around him. He plans to one day own a business or a hotel so that he can ?create value by creating jobs for others and empower them to improve the quality of their lives.?
Fun Facts
Favorite Song/Singer: ?Voodoo Chile? by Jimi Hendrix
What actor should play you in a movie: Forest Whitaker
Sport you play best: Soccer
Dish you cook best: Jamaican stew chicken
First job: Summer camp counselor