Hospitality | Tourism 2023: JAMES CARROLL

A former Navy fighter pilot with a Harvard MBA, Carroll parlayed his financial management expertise into running one of the largest independent hotel operators in the country.

Founded in 2000, Crestline Hotels and Resorts operates more than 18,000 rooms in 30 states. Carroll joined Crestline in 2004 as senior vice president and treasurer, after holding various financial positions at Dell. He was promoted to chief financial officer in 2006 and chief operating officer in 2009, before becoming the hotel management company’s president and CEO in 2010. Carroll also was involved in the formation and growth of Playa Hotels and Resorts, an international private equity real estate venture.

Today, Crestline has about 5,000 employees and operates 129 hotels under 30 brands, including Marriott, Hyatt Hotels and InterContinental Hotels Group. It is an indirect subsidiary of the Barceló Group, based in Mallorca, Spain.

Carroll serves on the board of Virginia Beach-based Armada Hoffler Properties, a publicly traded real estate investment trust.

FIRST JOB: Mowing lawns

WHAT MAKES ME HAPPIEST: The outdoors

HOBBY/PASSION: Skiing, hiking

TRAIT(S) I ADMIRE: Integrity