Elaine Beattie Chairs Business Administration at A-B Tech

Elaine Robinson Beattie has been named Chair of the Business Administration department at A-B Tech Community College, where she will bring more than 30 years of experience in the industry.

Beattie spent much of her career working for large hotel chains in hospitality leadership and management. She has handled daily operations and budgets of more than $8 million, recruited thousands of employees and managed a staff of more than 450 people of diverse backgrounds.

She made a shift in 2003 when she became a corporate coach and moved to Asheville. For the past 11 years, she has been coaching, speaking, and facilitating in the areas of team building, customer service training, and leadership development.

Beattie joined A-B Tech in 2005 as an adjunct instructor in the Hospitality Department. She had taught in community colleges in New York and Florida and considered A-B Tech a good fit.

“They have an outstanding hospitality program, and I really wanted to keep my hands in the industry. It’s my opportunity to assist in developing young leaders. I have been so proud teaching for the program. I love my colleagues. They are passionate, educated, experienced and talented,” she said.

Originally from Manhattan, Beattie has experience in her parents’ family-owned business, the corporate world, nonprofits, and in franchises. She currently owns a Curves Fitness Center in Arden.

“My real background is a combination of leadership and start-ups. Entrepreneurship is a personal passion,” she said. “I have always been committed to growing and supporting leaders.” She has also taught at the A-B Tech Small Business Incubator and Mountain BizWorks, coaching new business owners.

As chair of the Business Administration Department at A-B Tech, Beattie hopes to increase program graduate rates and grow the five programs she oversees. “I would love to see the Entrepreneurship program to be looked at as a cutting-edge, innovative program that really teaches people how to be professional, knowledgeable, and successful, while being wildly creative. It’s critical that we instill in business owners … [a] focus on growing businesses that are thriving whereby they are able to create a family legacy,” she said.

Beattie earned her B.A. in Business Administration from Simmons College and her master’s in Leadership and Management from Montreat College. She serves on the board of directors of Manna Food Bank and the Asheville Chapter of The Links Incorporated. She is married to Dr. Charles Beattie II, a minister, blues musician, and entrepreneur.