We are thrilled to introduce Mark Carrier, the newly appointed Chairman of NVC as of June, to our business community. With a career spanning over three decades in hospitality, Mark brings a wealth of experience, strategic insight, and a forward-thinking approach that is set to steer NVC towards an exciting future.
Mark's leadership philosophy is rooted in continuous learning and personal growth. With an abundance of educational and professional experience, he combines strategic insight with a commitment to development, fostering company excellence and innovation.
As the Chairman of NVC, Mark Carrier is at the helm of innovation and leadership. But beyond the boardroom, who is the man steering the ship? We sat down with Mark for a Q&A to dive into his background and leadership style, which makes him uniquely qualified to lead NVC into the future.
Q: What is your vision for NVC and what are some of the goals you hope to achieve during your tenure?
NVC has experienced incredible growth and strategic alignment over the past five years, building on a strong legacy. NVC is reaching its centennial and continues to serve as a leading Regional voice for the business community. This includes a wonderfully diverse range of organizations, including the educational and non-profit communities. NVC’s membership and board reflect this diversity, working collaboratively with a range of Regional organizations and engaging productively with Chambers of Commerce’s’ throughout Northern Virginia.
My goals align with the strategic focus of the organization, with a further objective of building resources and infrastructure to strengthen the impact and influence of NVC. The three resource pillars are: memberships and partnerships, the NVC Foundation, and the NOVABIZPAC. In each area of focus there will be measurable goals that are realistic but requiring.
Q: How has your professional background prepared you for this role?
Engagement with professional organizations such as the NVC has been integrated into my work as the leader of a significant hospitality enterprise here in the Region. I have lived in Northern Virginia for 40 years, and throughout that time I have led an organization that serves the business and local communities while employing 1,200 people. The hospitality industry is strengthened by its collaborative nature at both the individual hotel level, an enterprise level, and with the diverse stakeholders we engage with. This includes local government, community organizations, national trade groups, Regional economic authorities, and tourism promotion entities.
Q: How do you think NVC has grown over the past year?
NVC has made tremendous and continuing progress through a clear strategic focus and the maturity of the governance and board membership selection processes. The organization has made steady advances and is poised to grow further. This is critical, as the Region needs a strong voice for business and a Regional focus on solving issues of cross-jurisdictional need. The growth was achieved through the combined efforts of the professional team led by Julie Coons and supported by the board and Deb Gandy as our chair. Past chairman and board members have contributed greatly to the momentum of NVC.
Q: What would you say to a business considering joining NVC?
I believe passionately in the mission of NVC and the need for a strong voice for the business community in the Region. All organizations that have a stake in the Region have a responsibility to engage and work collaboratively. NVC facilitates this advocacy while providing pathways for networking, development, and workforce enhancement. The personal benefits of peer engagement and communication are significant.
Q: What do you see as the biggest challenge or opportunity facing NVC right now?
The Region has several significant issues that are systemic in nature, from transportation to workforce to housing availability and cost. They are in many ways Regional in nature and require collaborative effort. NVC will be a catalyst for change in Northern Virginia while engaging in Regional solutions; gaining alignment and then communicating clear advocacy is at the heart of our opportunity.
Q: What local boards or nonprofits are you involved with and why?
The hotel industry places a premium on engagement and alignment with the many stakeholders in the Region. Over the last 20 years, I have served in leadership roles in the following organizations: Chairman of the American Hotel Lodging Association, Chairman of the Intercontinental Hotels Owners Association, Founding Member and Chairman Emeritus of Visit Fairfax, and Founding Member and Chairman of the Tysons Partnership. In addition, I serve on several owner-focused boards with Marriott and Hilton and on the National Landing BID Board. I have also served over the past decade as a member of the Fairfax County Economic Development Commission.
Q: What's one thing most people would be surprised to learn about you?
I have a passion for our industry—hotels—which is a combination of an operating business and real estate management and development. My pathway to this vocation was founded early in my high school years working in restaurants as a dishwasher and then a cook; this put me on the path to the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell. I am from an immediate family of 8 siblings and now enjoy many cousins, nieces, nephews, and the next generations as well.
Q: What do you believe is the most important quality in a successful leader?
Successful leaders combine a strategic vision and the capacity to lead planning and goal actions to successful outcomes. An emphasis on execution is crucial. Trust is built on ethics, integrity, and transparency; trust at all levels is foundational.
Q: What initiatives are you most proud of that have positively impacted the company's culture?
NVC is on a growth journey that has been accelerating. The culture is founded on inclusive principles and the recognition that the organization’s stakeholders are broad and diverse. This is combined with a performance culture for the professional team and a participatory expectation of the board and membership.
Q: If you had one word to describe yourself, what would it be and why?
One word to describe myself would be driven. I place that in the context of working to make a positive difference in my professional, societal, and personal family life. This captures my desire to move forward, aim higher, and focus on continuous improvement.
