Marriott International Inc. (MAR) said W. Mitt Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts and a Republican presidential candidate, has resigned from the hotel company's board Wednesday.

Following Romney's resignation, the board voted to reduce its membership from 11 to 10 directors.

The announcement came a day after Marriott said William J. Shaw, a 37-year veteran and vice chairman of the company since 2009, will retire March 31. Shaw's retirement was the third executive departure the company announced this month.

On Wednesday, the company said in conjunction with his retirement, Arne M. Sorenson, president and chief operating officer, will join Marriott's board upon Shaw's retirement.

The company in October reported it swung to a fiscal third-quarter profit on higher revenue, following a prior-year $502 million write-down at its timeshare business, as room rates continued to rise. Marriott has benefited in recent quarters from cost-cutting and increased corporate and leisure travel.

Shares were down 7 cents, to $40.67 in recent trading.

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