Appalachian alumnus Chris Mahan ’17, front office supervisor and manager on duty at The Inn on Biltmore Estate in Asheville. Photo submitted
BOONE, N.C. — It’s Chris Mahan’s job to manage the stars — stars awarded by Forbes Travel Guide based on facility inspections and service inspections of hotels.
As the front office supervisor and manager on duty at The Inn on Biltmore Estate, Mahan ’17 manages a team that upholds the inn’s four-star rating and strives toward the “gold standard” of a five-star designation.
While on duty, the Appalachian State University alumnus oversees the front desk, concierges, bellman and valet, as well as telecommunication operations.
“I enjoy aiming to impress through hospitality and the presentation of a detail-oriented destination,” said Mahan, who is originally from Raleigh. “It is important for me to know that arriving guests feel comfortable and welcomed throughout their stay, and that departing guests feel satisfied and rejuvenated.”
Mahan earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in management from Appalachian in 2017. He said his interpersonal skills were honed in business communications classes at Appalachian.
“Being an effective communicator is a must if you want to successfully lead and motivate a team,” Mahan said. “The hotel, and Biltmore Estate as a whole, has a lot of moving parts working for one goal, and I’ve learned that having superb communication makes for a seamless operation.”
As a student-athlete at Appalachian, Mahan learned to manage numerous “moving parts,” he said. He was recruited to play on the tennis team and balanced a challenging practice and match schedule with his studies.
During the summers, Mahan coached youths and adults in tennis at Boone area country clubs, further developing his leadership and motivation skills.
Although Mahan didn’t enroll at Appalachian with a goal of entering the hospitality industry, several of his classes through the Walker College of Business pointed him in that direction, including Dr. Carol Kline’s Survey of the Hospitality and Tourism Industry class. “We had numerous guest speakers (during the class) that provided personal insight,” he said.
Mahan commented, “From my personal experience, the business program is very broad — in a good way. No one ever wants to feel like they’re stuck with a lack of options.”
His most memorable class was in human resources, taught by now retired adjunct professor Steven Newhouse. “He used many quotes centered around leadership, management and teamwork. One that sticks with me is ‘Employees don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,’” Mahan shared.
After graduating, Mahan scored a six-month internship with The Biltmore Co., which transitioned into a permanent position. As an intern, he rotated roles through departments at The Inn, performing various housekeeping and front office tasks that prepared him well for his role in management, he said.
“Knowing what others do in their positions is very valuable, as it provides me understanding and appreciation,” he said.
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About the Department of Management
The Department of Management offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs to prepare students for managerial responsibilities in today’s dynamic environment. Learn more at https://management.appstate.edu.
About the Walker College of Business
The Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University delivers transformational educational experiences that prepare and inspire students to be ethical, innovative and engaged business leaders who positively impact their communities, both locally and globally. The college places emphasis on international experiences, sustainable business practices, entrepreneurial programs and real-world applications with industry. Enrolling more than 4,000 undergraduates in 11 majors, Walker College has the highest enrollment of full-time undergraduate students in the University of North Carolina System, and more than 250 graduate students are enrolled in the college’s three master’s programs. App State’s Walker College is accredited by AACSB International — the premier global accrediting body for business schools. Learn more at https://business.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
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