Mark Brugger

Mark W. Brugger is the Co-Founder, President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of DiamondRock Hospitality Company. Mr. Brugger co-founded the Company in 2004 and successfully led its initial public offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange the following year. Mr. Brugger has received recognition for his work at DiamondRock, including being named to the Forbes list of America’s Most Powerful CEOs 40 and Under and a finalist for the E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Mr. Brugger has an extensive background in real estate, capital markets and structured finance, including as a former executive for Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR). Mr. Brugger was the lead negotiator on several billion dollars of transactions while at Marriott and, when he was 31 years old, led the acquisition and was subsequently appointed CEO of Marriott’s single largest non-hotel business unit by revenue. Mr. Brugger has significant experience serving on and working with boards of directors. He currently sits on the Board of Directors of DiamondRock. In addition, he served as a director on the board of Chambers Street (NYSE: CSG). While on the Board, Mr. Brugger sat on the Audit and Compensation Committees. He was also on the Company’s Board when it underwent an M&A process that lead to a successful merger with Gramercy Property Trust (NYSE: GPT). Prior to Marriott, Brugger gained his real estate experience while working as a land developer with a multinational homebuilder, and as a commercial broker specializing in investment sales with a leading brokerage house in the Washington Metropolitan Area. Mr. Brugger received his J.D. degree with honors from The Washington College of Law and a B.A. in philosophy from the University of Maryland. He is a member of the Maryland Bar. Mr. Brugger is also a member of the Urban Land Institute, Real Estate Round Table, YPO International, Marriott’s Owner Advisory Council, and a Board Member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association.