Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Joel Carver, Chief Executive Officer of Atlanta-based CARVER, has been awarded the prestigious Joseph R. Biden Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. This distinguished honor, established by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, recognizes individuals whose volunteerism and service make a profound impact on communities across the nation while inspiring others to take action.

A resident of LaGrange Georgia, and a native of Poplarville Mississippi, Carver has dedicated his career to transforming the hospitality industry. As the founder and CEO of CARVER, a leading hospitality infrastructure company, his achievements include launching Carver Hotel Group in 2013, which was named one of Georgia’s “Top Startups” within just two years. His leadership has propelled CARVER to national acclaim, earning spots on the INC 5000 “Fastest Growing Privately Held Corporations in America” list in both 2018 and 2023, as well as the Pacesetter Award.

Carver’s 40+ year career in sales and marketing has spanned leading roles at renowned hospitality brands such as Westin, Hilton, Omni, Wyndham Hotel Group, and InterContinental Hotels Group. He is widely recognized as a dynamic speaker and industry thought leader, having been named one of the “Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing”. Carver has co-authored influential works such as “Marketing for the Year 2000, TODAY!” and “The People Effect: Find, Grow, and Retain the Best of the Best”.

Beyond his professional achievements, Carver is deeply committed to philanthropy and community service. In 2017, he and The Carver Companies established the Harold P. and Bertha S. Carver Endowment and the Smith-Carver Family Criminal Justice Scholarship at Pearl River Community College, honoring his parents and family’s legacy in law enforcement. He has been recognized with accolades such as the TITAN 100 – Top CEOs in Georgia (2022), the Lifetime Achievement Award from Pearl River Community College (2023), and the Bishop’s Cross (2024) from Bishop Wright of Atlanta for his leadership within the Episcopal Church during a time of transition.

Carver and his husband, Dr. Van Millin, a teaching physician specializing in rural medicine, remain active through initiatives such as Backpack Buddies, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and The Human Rights Campaign Fund. Their Carver-Millin Donor Fund supports both local and global nonprofits, including an alliance with The Point Foundation, which empowers LGBTQ+ students to reach their full potential.

“This award is not just a reflection of my journey but a testament to the incredible teams and communities I’ve been fortunate to work with,” said Carver. “It inspires me to continue creating opportunities for others and giving back to the causes that matter most.”

More information on Carver may be found at http://thecarvercompanies.com