JOSEPH V. COZZA
Executive Director of Catering, New York Marriott Marquis

OSPITALITY PROFESSIONALS OF THE YEAR 2006

Joseph V. Cozza has been Executive Director of Catering at the New York Marriott Marquis since the hotel's pre-opening in 1984 and is a member of the hotel's Executive Committee. The New York Marriott Marquis is a flagship of Marriott International. It has 1,946 guest rooms and suites, six restaurants and lounges, and over 100,000 square feet of event space, which can accommodate groups ranging in size from 10 to 3,000. Under Mr. Cozza's direction, the New York Marriott Marquis has received numerous awards for catering excellence.

Mr. Cozza was the proud recipient of Marriott International’s "Catering Director of the Year" award for all Marriott Hotels and Resorts worldwide in 1989 and Marriott's Regional Leadership Award in 1994. For over 30 years, his hospitality career has been in Food and Beverage and Catering. He worked for the Sheraton Fairmont and Hyatt hotel chains prior to joining Marriott International. Mr. Cozza has opened five hotels, including the Philadelphia Fairmont; and the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City, where he was Director of Catering from its opening in 1980, through 1984. He graduated magna cum laude with an undergraduate degree in hotel and restaurant management from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1974. He received the Hotel Restaurant Society's Alumni Achievement Award for 1984/1985.

Mr. Cozza is a mem me for excellence in on-premise catering and years of service to the New York market. Recently, Mr. Cozza was honored for the Learning for Life Bill Gallo Sports Award Gala, benefiting scouting.

A native New Yorker, Joe and his wife, Nancy, now reside in New Jersey. They have two children, Lauren and Michael.ber of Food and Beverage Mangers of America and National Association of Catering Executives. He is also a member of Les Amis d'Escoffier Society Foundation and the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, two prestigious gourmet societies. He serves on the Advisory Board of Special Events Magazine and Marriott International’s Convention Network Board, which comprises all major resort and convention hotel within the company.

Mr. Cozza's dedication to service extends above and beyond the hospitality community. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health Service. He participates on the Board of Alumni Advisors for Fairleigh Dickinson University, School of Hotel and Tourism and on the New York Committee for BAT (Baseball Assistance Team), Major League Baseball’s organization for former players in need. Mr. Cozza is a member of the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce and a lifetime member of the American Theatre Wing. He has been co-chair of the annual Boy Scouts of America Hospitality Industry Luncheon and for more than 23 years has been an active member of the Cardinal's Committee of the Laity.

In 1997, Mr. Cozza was the honoree for the Hospitality and Tourism Division of the Cardinal's Committee of the Laity. Other awards he has received include the Emma Lazarus Award given by the Associated Builders and Owners of Greater New York in recognition for his contributions to the city's business community. The Italian Wine and Food Institute honored him with the Outstanding Achievement Award in the Field of Food and Wine. In 2003, he was inducted into the BiZBash Media Hall of Fa