When Thomas Barton graduated from high school in 2013, he wasn’t sure exactly what he wanted to do next. He’d been working at the Biltmore Estate bistro for two years, washing dishes and serving at catered events. Knowing he wanted a college degree, Barton enrolled at A-B Tech and began taking general education courses, but he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do and eventually left school.
In 2018, after several years at the Biltmore, his mother encouraged him to return to A-B Tech to pursue a Hospitality Management degree. “My mom told me, ‘You’re good at talking to people’,” he said. “It took me a while to figure out that I’m good with hospitality.”
Barton, now 32, graduated from A-B Tech’s program in 2020 and now works at Asheville’s Embassy Suites. He is one of 20 hospitality employees recognized in 2026 by the NC Restaurant & Lodging Association with a Stars of the Industry Award. He has been a Guest Services Supervisor for just over a year.
He attributes his win to having an outgoing personality, which he says he gets from both parents. “My dad could talk to someone for three hours,” he said. “I have always been an open, joyous kind of person, and that really comes out to guests.”
In his day-to-day role, Barton works the 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. shift, helping check guests in and out and ensuring they are all well cared for. He is also responsible for co-supervising four front desk employees, taking regular inventory, and monitoring and responding to website guest reviews. He has helped to greatly increase the hotel’s state score for guest satisfaction.
Barton is quick to credit his mentors at A-B Tech’s Hospitality Management program, Chair of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Cathy Strohm Horton, and Hospitality Instructor Walter Rapetski, both of whom helped motivate him to succeed in the program. His time at A-B Tech, he said, helped him master time management and learn how to prioritize tasks, both things he once struggled with that he regularly uses in his current role.
Barton also credits his capstone experience job shadowing at Country Inn & Suites by Radisson with giving him an invaluable overview of how the hospitality industry works. While there, he had the chance to observe housekeeping, front desk, and food and beverage sales. After his capstone ended, Barton landed a front desk supervisor job at Country Inn & Suites that helped pave the way to his current position.
Barton loves his current job, in part because he gets to connect with people in a personal and meaningful way. He pointed out that people don’t receive enough face-to-face customer service experience these days and are swiftly becoming accustomed to fast, impersonal online transactions. Barton strives to make up for this gap in every conversation he has with guests.
“Having personal interactions in hotels is what brings people back,” he said. “You can reserve a room online and order food, but if nobody brought you to your room and said, ‘Thank you for being here’, then why would you come back?”
“People remember me,” he added. “I have multiple guests say I’m one of the reasons they came back; I made them feel special.”
To learn more about A-B Tech’s Hospitality Management program, visit Culinary Arts and Hospitality or call (828) 398-7900.
Photo Caption: Barton, on right, with Manager David Cron.