Episode 8

 Vicki Banks first joined the Biltmore Estate Human Resources team in 2000 and currently has primary responsibility for the coordination, administration and supervision of Biltmore’s employee benefits programs, including health, dental, life and disability insurances; 401(k) plan, executive benefits, pension plan, FMLA, LOA, ADAA, employee assistance, wellness and workers compensation programs. The Employee Relations, Lodging HR and Risk Management teams are also led by Vicki.  In addition, she is responsible for company compensation programs and the HR IT areas, which includes the estate’s wage and salary program, HR administration, payroll, data integrity, performance management, ESC/EEOC processes and more. As of March 2012, the Company introduced ‘The Clinic on Biltmore Estate’ provided through a partnership with a local family medical practice. Vicki assumes oversight for this benefit. In addition to these responsibilities, Banks oversees the Human Resources departmental budget and strategic planning objectives for her areas of responsibility.  She also provides leadership for coaching, counseling and disciplinary actions across the Company, and works closely with the executive leadership team to resolve any legal or policy concerns that affect Biltmore Company.  As a company, Biltmore is dedicated to developing “Habits of Health, Habits of Safety and Habits of Happiness” in conjunction with its core values and ethics. Maintaining a culture of hospitality, teamwork, leadership and integrity is important to the mission of Biltmore, which seeks to preserve the estate as a privately owned, profitable working estate.  Banks continues to be a popular speaker, consultant and panelist for Human Resources-related organizations and groups. Originally from Pennsville, New Jersey, Banks was awarded a B.A. at Hofstra University in Long Island, New York, where she earned a field hockey scholarship and was a member of the East Coast Conference All Star Team.  She was also a member of the Hofstra softball team. In 1995, Vicki made her way to the Asheville area. Vicki has also been awarded with the SPHR certification through the Society for Human Resources Management and the SHRM Senior Certified Professional certification (SHRM – SCP), while currently pursuing her Masters of Law through Wake Forest School of Law.