POPLARVILLE, MS – April 26, 2023 – Delana Harris, Executive Director of Pearl River Community College Alumni Association and Development Foundation, one of the nation’s top community colleges, has announced Poplarville, MS native and LaGrange, GA resident Joel Carver as the recipient of their 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award. The award will be presented Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Lake Terrace Convention Center, Hattiesburg, MS. In addition to Carver, PRCC will honor: Dr. Kellye Bolar – Young Alumnus of the Year, Todd Jackson – Alumnus of the Year, Carol Williams – Distinguished Service Award, and 2nd Chance Mississippi – Outstanding Partnership.
With over 39 years of hospitality experience which encompasses work with both franchise and Fortune 500 companies including: Westin, Hilton, Omni, Marriott, Wyndham Hotel Group, InterContinental Hotels Group, and Leading Hotels of the World, Carver serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Atlanta based Carver, the hospitality industry human capital powerhouse.
Well-known as a dynamic and powerful speaker, Joel provides keynote, human resources and sales training speeches and presentations throughout North America. Mr. Carver is also co-author of: “Marketing for the Year 2000, TODAY!”, “Marketing for the Next Millennium”, and “The People Effect: Find, Grow and Retain the Best of the Best.”
Joel’s previous honors and awards include:
- Named one of the “Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing”
- Twin Cities Business Journal Diversity in Business Honoree
- 2013 Founded Carver Hotel Group
- 2015 Named one of the “Top Startups in Georgia”
- 2018 Named to the INC 5000 one of the “Fastest Growing – Privately Held Corporations in America” – Pacesetter Award Recipient
- 2022 Named as one of the Titan Top 100 CEOs in Georgia
In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Joel always remembers his grandmother Vivian and her charge to “never forget where you came from and never forget to give back,” a clarion call that he takes seriously. One of his primary relationships has grown with “Backpack Buddies-Poplarville”. This amazing organization helps to assure that at risk Pearl River County children have adequate food and essential items outside of their schools, feeding over 175 children every week.
Carver continues support of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, The Human Rights Campaign Fund, ICEF, and In the Spirit Awards. In addition, his organization maintains a strategic alliance with The Point Foundation, which empowers promising LGBTQ+ students to achieve their full academic and leadership potential through scholarships and financial support. In 2017, Joel partnered with the Pearl River College Development Foundation to present the Harold P. and Bertha S. Carver Endowment and the Smith-Carver Family Criminal Justice Scholarship.
Joel and husband Van (Dr. Millin, a teaching physician) are residents of LaGrange, Georgia, and are active in the local community and are members of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. At St. Mark’s, Joel is a member of the Vestry and currently serves as Sr. Warden.
More information on Joel Carver may be found at http://meetjoelcarver.com
More information on Pearl River Community College may be found at http://prcc.edu
More information on Carver may be found at http://thecarvercompanies.com
