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.
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.
James St. John - Since joining the Hospitality America team in 1993, Jim has participated on numerous
consulting, take-over and operational assignments. He remains available to Hospitality America clients on an as-needed
basis and brings considerable depth to the team. In his current role as President & CEO of Mantis
Hospitality, St.
John is responsible for the coordination of operations in existing Mantis Collection properties, and the development
of the brand worldwide, including providing management services in the luxury passenger vessel & yacht sector.
Prior to joining the Mantis Group, St. John served for over five years as President & CEO of The World, the only private
residential community at sea. At The World, he had worldwide responsibility for all aspects of sales, rentals, hotel,
F&B, maritime, personnel accounting, and logistics. This relationship began as a Hospitality America consulting
assignment prior to the Resident purchase of the ship.
During his 35-year career in the hospitality industry, St. John has provided insight and direction to some of the
world’s finest resorts, hotels and private clubs, including the Jupiter Island Club, Rockefeller’s Little Dix Bay,
and the five-star Mills Hyatt House. Hospitality America assignments have included the Lyford Cay Club and the Ocean Club.
A frequent presenter at hospitality & cruise industry events, St. John is an active participant in industry affairs. He has
served as President of the St. Thomas/St. John Hotel Association and on The Governor’s Tourism Policy Council in the U.S.
Virgin Islands. He currently serves as a Director of the Martin County Convention & Visitors Bureau and President of the US
SAILING Center/ Martin County.
A devoted family man, Jim and Christine, his wife of 27 years, make their home in Palm City, Florida. They have two adult children,
daughter Erin and son Kyle.
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