The Carver story

The Carver story begins in rural Poplarville, Mississippi, where Joel Carver was raised amid a deep-rooted tradition of hospitality and entrepreneurship. His great-grandparents owned two of the town’s few lodging establishments—the Orr Hotel and the Carver Hotel, now known as The Blueberry Inn. Those early influences planted the seeds for a lifelong commitment to service, business, and people.

Entrepreneurship was woven into everyday life. Joel’s parents owned and operated both a restaurant and a children’s clothing store, teaching him—often by example—the grit, creativity, and resilience required to build and sustain a small business. Along the way, he also discovered one important truth: he would never make a very good waiter.

Following college, Joel entered the hospitality industry as a Sales Manager at The Capitol House Hotel in Baton Rouge, where he discovered a passion not just for hotels, but for the strategy behind sales, marketing, and revenue management. Over the next three decades, he advanced through senior leadership roles including Director of Sales and Marketing, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and Senior Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and Public Relations. 

Known as a “change agent” and early adopter, Joel consistently delivered results—even during the most challenging economic cycles. During one historic recessionary period, his leadership helped grow a hotel portfolio’s market share from 112 percent to more than 118 percent.

In 2013, Joel founded The Carver Companies in Atlanta, Georgia. What began as a vision has grown into a trusted national platform serving hotels, brands, and organizations through Carver Hotel Group, Carver World Temps, and Carver–Olson Hospitality Search. Under his leadership, Carver Hotel Group was recognized as one of the Top Startups in Georgia, and Joel was named among the Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales and Marketing. His honors also include Marriott’s Spirit to Serve Award and the Diversity in Business Award from the Minneapolis–St. Paul Business Journal.

Although his career has taken him across 49 states, every Canadian province, and more than 38 countries, Joel’s heart remains firmly rooted in Poplarville. He continues to draw inspiration from the three most influential people in his life—his father, Pete; his mother, Bertha; and his grandmother, Vivian. From his father came the lesson: “When an opportunity comes, take it—even if you’re not ready. It may not present itself again.” From his mother, a gifted business mind, he learned to ensure decisions are grounded in reason and empathy. From his grandmother, a pioneer for women in education, came a guiding truth that still shapes his leadership today: “You can go anywhere and achieve anything you want—but never forget where you came from.”

Those values—opportunity, integrity, empathy, and perseverance—remain at the core of The Carver Companies.

Giving back has always been central to Joel’s mission. He has served on the HSMAI Americas Board of Directors (2012–2015) and as a board member of the Association of Starwood Franchise Owners. The Carver Companies actively support organizations including The Point Foundation, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, The Human Rights Campaign Fund, and Backpack Buddies, which works to combat childhood food insecurity.

An active member of the Episcopal faith, Joel and his husband, Van, continue to seek meaningful ways to serve their community—honoring their roots while building a legacy defined not only by business success, but by leadership, compassion, and lasting impact.