Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at The Breakers Palm Beach
Brief Executive Biography
As executive vice president and chief administrative officer of Flagler System, Inc. (FSI), the privately held corporation that operates The Breakers Palm Beach and its related businesses, Atesh Chandra leads the division that oversees the resort's greatest asset: its 2,400 team members.
Chandra's wide-ranging role has been instrumental to the organizational transformation of this world-class establishment, a process that began in the mid-1990s and continues to evolve today. With a multifaceted focus on people, culture, process and technology, the building blocks for this thriving company, Chandra’s responsibilities encompass accounting, corporate communications, human resources (HR), legal & risk management, materials management and technology services.
Chandra began his career with Flagler System, Inc. and The Breakers in 1984. He is a native of India and received his Bachelor of Arts with Honors degree in Economics from the University of Delhi. After arriving in the United States in 1980, Chandra attended Florida International University in Miami as a graduate student at the School of Hospitality Management, earning a Master of Science degree in Hotel & Food Service Management. He has also served on the Board of Trustees for The Town of Palm Beach United Way since 2009.
Full Executive Biography
As executive vice president and chief administrative officer of Flagler System, Inc. (FSI), the privately held corporation that operates The Breakers Palm Beach and its related businesses, Atesh Chandra leads the division that oversees the resort's greatest asset: its 2,400 team members.
Chandra's wide-ranging role has been instrumental to the organizational transformation of this world-class establishment, a process that began in the mid-1990s and continues to evolve today. With a multifaceted focus on people, culture, process and technology, the building blocks for this thriving company, Chandra’s responsibilities encompass accounting, corporate communications, human resources (HR), legal & risk management, materials management and technology services.
Among his accomplishments:
- Transforming the HR function from an administrative procedure to an employee-centric culture that encourages learning, development and well-being
- Restructuring the recruitment and retention process by adapting the organizational strategy to focus on individual capabilities, aspirations and interests in contrast to a general job description; human capital is paramount, therefore, the company hires for talent and trains for skill
- Building The Breakers’ International Associate Program, one of the most respected international hospitality training programs for university graduates in the world
- Establishing intern, extern and mentorship programs
- Championing a philosophy and methodology of relentless improvement while maintaining an interactive and collaborative culture that reinforces cross-departmental resourcing from the front-line to the executive office
- Deploying technology to improve customer service, relationships and satisfaction; evolving technology into a productive, multi-platform structure of systems and automation that supports business efficiency and a better customer experience
- Making social impact the cornerstone of the enterprise
Chandra’s four-plus decade tenure with the company has firmed his grasp on a wide range of corporate responsibilities and modern business challenges. Leveraging experience in many aspects of hotel management, Chandra helped spearhead and sustain the Quality, Best Practices and Innovation (QBI) Program and other service-enhancement initiatives. He reports directly to The Breakers’ Chief Executive Officer and serves as a member of the Executive Group.
As a key influencer of strategic, critical thinking and cultural intelligence that reflects The Breakers’ enduring values, Chandra is dedicated to continuously building the quality, loyalty and fulfillment of the company’s workforce. He understands that investment in the team has proven to been invaluable to the resort’s reputation and the satisfaction of its guests. When colleagues are inspired to reach their greatest potential, their performance perpetuates the world-class environment that encourages guests to return. Like The Breakers’ visionary founder, Henry Morrison Flagler, who first built the legendary oceanfront destination in 1896, Chandra has always put a premium on the value of a devoted staff – many associates have worked at the property for more than a generation.
Chandra began his career with The Breakers and Flagler System, Inc. in 1984. He is a native of India and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honors in Economics from the University of Delhi. After arriving in the United States in 1980, Chandra attended Florida International University in Miami as a graduate student at the School of Hospitality Management, earning a Master of Science Degree in Hotel & Food Service Management. He has served on the Board of Trustees for The Town of Palm Beach United Way since 2009.
Photo Link: Atesh Chandra Headshot