Airport_Business_November_2020 - 42

UNDER

Jeffrey J. Miller A.A.E., ACE
Jeffrey Miller has been in aviation for 17 years, his path starting
at the Manistee County Blacker Airport in Michigan. Miller
found himself at the airport after taking an internship in his
initial prospective career field, radiology, and realized it wasn't
a fit for him. Instead, he found aviation suited him and his job
at the small airport opened the doors to the wider industry.
" Back then it was about understanding what the industry was
and learning that there was more to aviation than being a pilot,
which for me opened up a lot of doors and opportunities, "
Miller said. " It really afforded me an opportunity to find a love
and passion for aviation. "
At Manistee, Miller got to see how the industry works between
the airlines, airports, pilots and more. The airport's manager
Hometown: Ludington, MI
pointed him towards Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
Alma Mater: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University to further his education and Miller
University
enrolled as a full-time student while working at
Yelvington Jet Aviation FBO in Daytona.
Fun fact about yourself: I lived on a
boat docked in the SFO bay while I worked
Graduating with a degree in Aviation
at SJC.
Management, Miller bounced around from airport
Someone I look up to in the
to airport, working his way up the ladder to his
industry: Sue Palmeri - Sue was the
current position - airport director of the Laredo
airport director in Stockton California and
International Airport.
she taught me having a sense of humor was
" We call it living on the edge because we're on
always important.
the edge of the border. Basically, anything you use
My favorite thing about aviation is:
that comes from Mexico goes through Laredo, "
You can visit most the world with normally
Miller said.
no more than two stops along the way.
Laredo is currently the only airport in the U.S.
offering both U.S. and Mexico Customs 24/7

to pre-clear cargo in the U.S. and proceed to Mexico as a
domestic flight. Since Miller arrived, he has been working
with both federal agencies to expand product allowed in the
program.
" I think that it is humbling and also an experience that you
don't get in a lot of other jobs, " Miller said. " Everything that's
connected in this world comes through an airport, whether it's
connecting families or a research entity. You're connecting all
these communities and worlds. "
Miller has secured the first international commercial flight
to Mexico City in over a decade, obtained over $30 million in
discretionary FAA funding to facilitate cargo ramp operations
and is spearheading working with local educational institutions
and the private sector to create a mechanic and pilot school
for the people in the community.
Continual education is something Miller firmly believes in and
he returned to Embry-Riddle, securing his master's degree in
Aviation Finance, as well as recently earning his Accredited
Airport Executive designation through the American
Association of Airport Executives. Miller also holds his private
pilot's license.
" I love aviation because you can literally see the world in
usually no more than two stops. You can go from where
I started in a small town of 30,000 people in Michigan, get
on an aircraft and end up in one of the largest airports in the
world, " Miller said.

www.AviationPros.com/21149761

Ryan Betcher, A.A.E.

Hometown: Fletcher, VT.
Alma Mater: University of
Vermont; Coastal Carolina
University
Someone I look up to in
the industry: Everyone I've
worked with.
My favorite thing about
aviation is: How dynamic and
complex it is.

Ryan Betcher always knew he wanted to work in aviation but
wasn't sure in what capacity. When he was in high school,
he attended an aviation career day where he heard from an
airport management professional, who intrigued him on that
path.
" I like working at a small hub airport exposes you to so many
different aspects of an airport, " he said. " I get to work on these
different tasks and see them come to fruition. "
Betcher is director of general aviation and properties at the
Horry County Department of Airports. He's responsible for
four GA airports owned and operated by the county and all
associated activities and personnel.
Gross GA fuel sales have increased to $8.9 million from $3.5
million in four years, an increase of 154.3 percent. Betcher and
the GA team have developed strategies for fuel pricing based
on required margins and the GA airports' forecast models.
These improvements have allowed the Fixed-Base Operator
staff to engage in a more focused approach to business
development/diversification as well as identify new
measurable performance metrics.
" I like knowing that we're taking something and making it
better and improving it for the future, " he said. I like working
with people and knowing we're making employees' jobs easier
or streamlining things.
He works closely with military partners and assists in securing
governmental fuel contracts. He successfully manages GA
tenants and GA pilot activity, while maintaining a safe and
efficient FBO.

On the commercials side, Betcher has full management
oversight of airport properties and leases for Myrtle Beach
International Airport (MYR). He leads the procurement
process for revenue-producing ventures and non-federally
funded capital projects.
His expertise in technology has led to streamlining of airport
contracts and improved electronic tracking capability. His
inquisitive and innovative approach to projects has created
various efficiencies across multiple departments.
Betcher said he hopes to promote aviation as a career choice
for future generations during his career to build a strong
workforce for tomorrow.
" We have to continue getting younger people involved at
an early age, " he said. " We as airport professionals need to
continue making our industry more visible, accessible and
inclusive. "

www.AviationPros.com/21150083

42 \ AIRPORTBUSINESS / NOVEMBER 2020
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