About Andrew
Andrew Cajka has over thirty years of experience in the Hospitality Industry. He has experience in development, general management, and corporate headquarters positions. In 1998, Andrew established Southern Hospitality Group in Greenville South Carolina. He has developed and managed franchised hotels with Hilton, Marriott, Holiday Inn, USFS, Cendant Corporation and now Hyatt Hotels.Previous to SHG, Andrew spent fourteen years with the Hyatt Hotels Corporation. As General Manager of the Hyatt Regency Greenville he was recognized and nominated as Hyatt 1996 General Manager of the year.
Prior to Greenville, he was the Corporate Director of Rooms Operation in Hyatt’s headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. As Corporate Director of Rooms, he was responsible for guiding quality assurance, financial management, career succession, product development and hotel openings. He successfully led the opening of fourteen Hyatt Hotels & Resorts by coordinating with the ownership, general contractor and Hyatt’s opening team. Grand Hyatt Wailea, Hyatt Regency Kauai, Hyatt Regency Aruba, Hyatt Hill Country, Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport and Hyatt Boston Harborside are examples during his tenure. He was also appointed to serve on an executive task force with Hyatt’s owners and executive committee, facilitated by the Boston Consulting Group. This strategic plan set the course for the company’s vision. He was later selected to lead one of the Hyatt’s corporate initiatives, “Best Practices,” to improve hotel revenues and profitability, while not negatively affecting guest and employee services.
In other experiences with Hyatt, Andrew worked as Hyatt Executive Assistant Manager in New Orleans, 1300 room Property, Nashville 500 rooms, and Greenville 330 rooms. Before joining Hyatt, he was the General Manager of the Ramada Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. During his tenure as Food & Beverage Director and later General Manager, recognition was received from the Ramada Corporation as Best Restaurant, Best Beverage Outlet and Hotel of the Year in the Ramada chain for 1984.
Civic involvement is an integral part of Andrew’s commitment to his community. He is Treasurer and Past Chairman of the Convention & Visitors Bureau, past Chairman of the Greenville Hospital Foundation, Past Chairman Children’s Hospital Development Council, Past Chairman Accommodation Tax Board and Past President Downtown Council of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Thornblade Board of Governors, Metropolitan Arts Council, Board of Trustees St. Joseph High School, Secretary and Treasurer of the Greenville County Research & Technological Development Corporation and Chairman of the Audit/Risk Management and Compliance Committee for Greenville First National Bank.
Andrew is originally from Bay Village, Ohio and a graduate from Bowling Green State University. Andrew and his wife Donna have three children: Drew 26, Austin 23, and Aly 21.