Leadership Team

President and majority stockholder of Hospitality America, Chris personally directs the operations, marketing and customized business plan for each hotel under management. A career-long veteran of the hospitality industry, he has a dual management and development background with a verifiable track record of launching successful new hotels as well as turning around marginal properties, especially distressed destination beach resort hotels.

Prior to founding Hospitality America in 1995, Cargen held corporate or hotel general manager positions with Dunfey Hotels (now OMNI Hotels), Hospitality Management Corporation and Outdoor Resorts of America. He has served as multi-unit manager or general manager of Courtyard by Marriott, Embassy Suites, Hampton, Hilton, Residence Inn and Sheraton as well as many independent and branded beach resort hotels in Georgia, South Florida and throughout the Caribbean.

Cargen received his Bachelor of Science from Cornell University School of Hotel Administration graduating Dean’s List / Ye Hosts Scholastic Honorary. He is a member of the Cornell Society of Hotelmen and a former member of Cayuga Hospitality Advisors. He is frequently consulted by Hilton’s Hampton Inn Advisory Council to contribute and evaluate brand initiatives. Cargen has served as president and director of several condominium hotels and is a past chairman of the Jekyll Island (Georgia) Hotel Association. He is an avid off-shore sailor and snow skier.