Jay Canning, Founder
Jay Canning grew up in Topsfield, Massachusetts and Westport Island, Maine where he spent summers with his grandfather. He has lived in such diverse places as Nantucket, Merida Venezuela, and the Virgin Islands. His travels in the U.S., Caribbean, South America, and Europe have provided him with a passion and appreciation for diverse cultures that he brings to his work with Westport associates and guests.
Jay founded Westport Hospitality in 1998. Since college, he has worked in hotels in various capacities in both resort and business class settings as a bartender, maitre d’, food and beverage director, assistant manager, hotel resident manager, hotel general manager (Jay was named General Manager of the Year with Marriott), regional manager, and now developer and owner. This wide-ranging experience has shaped Jay’s view of the hospitality industry and Westport itself. Throughout his career his approach and business philosophy has been to stay as close to the guest experience as possible, serving associates and guests with respect and warmth. He has been known to say, “All we have to sell is the way people feel when they walk out our doors.”
Jay and his wife, Caroline, live in Burlington near Lake Champlain, at their home on Westport Island, and, as often as they can get there, in Ocotal, Costa Rica. Jay and Caroline share a passion for nature and outdoor sports of all kinds. They also participate actively in the lives and adventures of their seven grown children. Jay holds a BA in English literature from The University of Massachusetts.