September, 2016  Edition
     
From the Director's Desk

 
 
There has always been something about the start of a new semester that is exciting.  New school supplies, new instructors, and learning about new ideas all signal the opportunity for new beginnings.  Not only is campus  bustling with new and returning students, but the Foundation is welcoming new staff.  I am delighted to be serving as the new Executive Director of College Advancement. Most recently, I served as the executive director of the Asheville-Mountain Area Chapter of the American Red Cross and have also served as the executive director of the Literacy Council of Buncombe County. Providing opportunities for students to have access to education is my passion, and A-B Tech is a perfect place to channel that passion. Education opens doors that transform lives and communities, and A-B Tech is a well-respected channel to that in our community.

Thank you for your generous support to A-B Tech and our students. You have helped increase our scholarship awards by 13% this year thereby providing scholarships to 426 students. You are changing lives!
 
I am looking forward to working with the talented team around me to find new ways to support our students and faculty and staff. Many thanks to Susan Haldane, Interim Executive Director, for serving in that role and helping to make this transition very smooth.
 
I welcome the opportunity to meet with you and discuss your support of A-B Tech.
 
All my best,

Amanda

Amanda Edwards, CFRE 
Executive Director
 
New A-B Tech Strategic Plan  
A-B Tech is proud to unveil new Vision, Mission and Values statements, and a  new 3-year Strategic Plan. Dr. Dave White, Executive Director for Research and Planning, and Ms. Melissa Quinley, Vice President for Instructional Services, co-chaired a Strategic Planning Team that spent last year guiding and creating the vision, mission, values and strategic plan.

During 2015-16, the Strategic Planning Team conducted over 20 listening sessions with faculty, staff, students and Board members. This input was used to develop the following Vision, Mission, and Values statements:

Vision
Changing Lives · Strengthening Communities

Mission
Dedicated to student success, A-B Tech delivers quality education to enhance academic, workforce, and personal development.

Values
Excellence · Integrity · Supportive Learning Environment · Innovation · Service and Engagement

Input from College stakeholders was also used to establish strategic priorities for the College, goals that would address each priority, and initiatives and tracking measures to enable the College to achieve each goal.
The new Strategic Plan has 4 priorities, and each priority has a number of goals and initiatives associated with it.
  • Student Access & Success
Goal 1: Improve access, persistence, and completion for all student
             groups
Goal 2: Ensure academic program relevance and sustainability
  • Sustainability & Organizational Development
Goal 1: Strengthen processes, systems, and supports to advance faculty
             and staff
success and excellence, and reduce employee turnover
Goal 2: Develop a systematic approach to organizational operations and   
             succession planning
Goal 3: Enhance campus infrastructure safety and security
Goal 4: Expand opportunities to increase connections and giving for
             unfunded needs and priorities
  • Technology Infrastructure & Systems
Goal 1: Enhance information technology (IT) systems effectiveness and
             efficiency
Goal 2: Develop data governance processes and procedures
  • Communication & Engagement
Goal 1: Enhance student connections to regional jobs
Goal 2: Support the development of new and existing businesses
Goal 3: Enhance the College's branding and marketing
Goal 4: Improve College-wide communication with employees

For more information, and to view the entire plan, please visit abtech.edu/strategicplan1619.
 
Autumn & Asheville 2016


Brumit Center for Culinary Arts and Hospitality
 
On Thursday, September 29th "Autumn in Asheville" will highlight the amazing skills of our award-winning A-B Tech Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry Arts, and Hospitality Management departments, along with the Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast.  This year we will be paying homage to Asheville's vibrant and diverse restaurant scene, with a variety of interactive mini-restaurants located in and around the Culinary Arts and Hospitality departments' facility.

Proceeds from this event support the success of the College's students through the Office of College Advancement's scholarship programs, as well as the Culinary Arts and Hospitality departments.
 
This year's Live Auction Packages will include (subject to change):
  • Culinary Dinning Experience: Enjoy a private dinner for 16 in the dining room of Fernihurst created by the award-winning A-B Tech Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management students. This will be in conjunction with a Thursday evening "Production Dinner" prepared by the students.
  • Chef's Table for 8 at the Omni Grove Park Inn:  Enjoy an exclusive Chef's Table four-course dinner with wine pairings for 8 people in one of the Omni Grove Park Inn's wonderful restaurants.
  • Instant Wine Cellar:  Enjoy a varied selection of wine personally chosen by members of the A-B Tech Foundation Board of Directors and the staff of Metro Wines and Appalachian Vintners.
  • Gourmet Dinner Party for 10 in Your Own Home:  A catered gourmet meal for ten prepared in your own home by former A-B Tech culinary instructor and owner of Crackerjack Chef, Michelle Kelly.
We will end the evening with a very special "Fund the Need" to raise funds for student scholarship support.

A handful of tickets are still available. Please call Susan Haldane, Development/Events Coordinator, at 828-398-7567 for more information.
In This Issue
In This Issue
Donate to A-B Tech

NC State Employees
Combined Campaign

Designation Code #3803
Combined Federal Campaign
Designation Code #75833
2016 A-B Tech Foundation Board of Directors
Chris Young, 2016 Chair
Clean Environments
Young Office
 
Mary Ann Rice, 2016 Vice Chair
NCSECU
 
K. Ray Bailey
President Emeritus, A-B Tech

Joe Brumit
Brumit Restaurant Group   
 
Dr. Sandra Byrd
Retired, UNC Asheville
 
Pat Carver
First Citizens Bank
 
Adam Charnack
Hi-Wire Brewing

Shea Cline
Omni Grove Park Inn
 
Marcus Cox
Bank of America
 
John Ellis
Novus, Bowers, Ellis & Watson Architects

Jack Ferguson
Retired, Lowe's
 
Charles Frederick
TD Bank

Allan Gerson
Retired, Palm Beach State College

Tate Groome
Colton Groome and Company
 
Darryl Hart
Hart Funeral Services, Inc.

Richard Hurley
Retired, Square D Company

Anthony Johnson
Aspen Realty Advisors
 
Dennis King
President, A-B Tech

Michael Kryzanek
Associate, CBRE Hotels , Province Valuation Group, Inc. 

Thomas Maher
Pisgah Investments, LLC

Michael Meguiar
GE Aviation

Bill Murdock
Eblen Charities

John Oswald
Mills Manufacturing   
Dr. Lary Schulhof
Retired, Physician
 
O'Neal Shelton
Madison County Chamber of Commerce

Steven Sizemore
Northup McConnell & Sizemore, PLLC

Ann Skoglund
Beverly-Hanks & Associates

Ray Spells
Retired, Wells Fargo Bank

Ron Storto
Biltmore Farms
 
Pat Wood
Budweiser of Asheville, Inc.

Kay Crews
Board Emeritus
 
Nancy Miller
Board Emeritus

Office of College Advancement Staff
 
Amanda Edwards   Executive Director
Phone: 828-398-7176

Liz Atkinson
 
Lavender Fund Scholarship Advisor 
Phone: 828.398.7564 
 
Amanda Bryan
Development Specialist
Phone: 828-398-7177

Patti Cameron
Campus Volunteer Coordinator
Phone:  828.398.7761

Susan Haldane
Development/Events Coordinator
Phone: 828.398.7567

Helpful Links

The Office of College Advancement  

 

Volunteering at A-B Tech 

 

Archived Foundation Newsletters