The Carver story

 The Carver Story

The Carver story begins in rural Poplarville, Mississippi, where Joel Carver grew up surrounded by the spirit of hospitality and entrepreneurship. His great-grandparents owned two of the town’s only hostelries—the Orr Hotel and the Carver Hotel (now known as The Blueberry Inn). From these humble beginnings, the foundation was laid for what would become a lifelong passion for service, business, and people.

Entrepreneurship ran deep in the Carver family. Joel’s parents owned and operated both a restaurant and a children’s clothing store, teaching him from an early age the grit, determination, and creativity it takes to grow a small business. He also learned one other important truth: he would never make a very good waiter.

After college, Joel entered the hospitality world as a sales manager at The Capitol House Hotel in Baton Rouge. That first job sparked a love for hotels—and specifically for the art and science of sales, marketing, and revenue management. Over the next three decades, Joel climbed through leadership roles including Director of Sales and Marketing, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and Senior Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and Public Relations. In every role, he earned a reputation as a “change agent” and “early adopter,” driving performance in even the toughest of times. During one of the most challenging recessionary periods in history, his leadership grew an entire portfolio’s market share from 112% to over 118%.

In 2013, Joel founded The Carver Companies in Atlanta, Georgia. Today, the company has expanded to include Carver Hotel Group, Carver World Temps, and Carver-Olson Hospitality Search, serving as a trusted partner to hotels, brands, and organizations nationwide. Under his leadership, Carver Hotel Group was recognized as one of the Top Startups in Georgia, and Joel himself has been honored among the Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales and Marketing. His accolades also include Marriott’s Spirit to Serve Award and the Diversity in Business Award from the Minneapolis/Twin Cities Business Journal.

Though Joel’s career has taken him across 49 states, every Canadian province, and to more than 38 countries around the world, his heart remains firmly tied to Poplarville. He continues to honor the three great influences of his life—his father Pete, his mother Bertha, and his grandmother Vivian. From his father, he learned: “When an opportunity comes, take it—even if you’re not ready. It may not present itself again.” From his mother, a brilliant business mind, came the lessons: “Make sure your decisions make sense” and “Don’t ever judge people until you’ve walked in their shoes.” From his grandmother, a pioneer for women in education, came the guiding truth: “You can go anywhere and achieve anything you want, but don’t ever forget where you came from.”

These values remain at the heart of The Carver Companies today—opportunity, integrity, empathy, and perseverance.

Joel and The Carver Companies are also committed to giving back—to the industry and the community. Joel has served as a board member for the Association of Starwood Franchise Owners Association and on the HSMAI Americas Board (2012–2015). The company actively supports organizations such as The Point Foundation, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, The Human Rights Campaign Fund, and Backpack Buddies, which helps ensure at-risk children have food security.

An active member of the Episcopal faith, Joel and his husband, Van, continue to seek new ways to serve their community, staying true to their roots while building a legacy of leadership, compassion, and change.