Christopher Cargen, CHA
- President and majority stockholder of Hospitality America, Chris personally directs the operations,
marketing and customized business plan for each hotel under management. A 36-year 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
supervisor or general manager of Hampton, Hilton, Ramada, Sheraton, Shoney's, and Quality Inns as well as many independent
beach resort hotels located in Georgia, South Florida and throughout the Caribbean.
Cargen received his Bachelor of Science from Cornell University School of Hotel Administration graduating on the Dean's
List and 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 enjoys off-shore sailing, snow skiing and fitness exercise and
is treasurer of his son's high school Ice Eagles hockey team.
Ross Wagers, CHA - Ross Wagers currently serves as Hospitality America, Inc's Vice
President Operations. Wagers graduated from East Tennessee State University in 1992 and continued his education at
the University of Virginia via continuing education courses in Quality Assurance and Guest Satisfaction. Additionally,
Wagers has achieved accreditation from the American Hotel & Motel Associations' Educational Institute for both the Certified
Rooms Division Executive (CRDE) and Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA).
Being an 18 year veteran of the hospitality and tourism industry Wagers has held affiliations with such hotel brands
as ITT Sheraton®, Choice® Hotels, and Hilton® Hotels. In addition, he has served on the Northeast Tennessee Tourism
Board of Directors, Tennessee Hotel and Motel Association Board, and Served as President of the Tri-Cities, TN Hotel & Motel Association.
Currently Wagers is a member of the North Carolina Hotel & Motel Association, Charlotte Area Airport Council Member, and serves on the
Homewood Suites® Brand Information Technology Council for Hilton® Hotels.
In 1996, Wagers was awarded the prestigious Presidents Award by Hilton® Hotels, and again the General Manager Pride Merit Award in 2001 by Hilton® Hotels.
Howard Wolfson - Hospitality America’s Vice President of Operations is a graduate of Tulane
University and is an eleven plus year veteran of the hospitality industry. Previous affiliations include Hilton® Hotel
Corporation in Atlanta, Promus® Hotels, and Villas by the Sea a Hotel Condominium & Conference Center in historic Jekyll Island, Georgia.
The Southeast region consists of four Hilton® branded hotels and one Cendant® branded hotel. Howard credits the successes of these hotels
to all the outstanding team members who have help create the best lodging facilities in South Florida and an enjoyable place to work.
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