2018 Airport Business Top 40 Under 40: Casey Miller

Oct. 1, 2018

Casey Miller
President/Owner
Latitude 33 Aviation
Age: 38

  • Alma Mater: University of California, Santa Barbara
  • Favorite Aircraft:  Embraer Phenom 300
  • Favorite Book: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
  • Favorite Hobbies: Surfing, spearfishing, and scuba diving

For Casey Miller, aviation isn’t just a career, it’s a family tradition.

Miller’s parents met at a flight school in San Diego. His mother was a private pilot and his father went from flight instructor to eventually become an airline pilot. Eventually a family friend offered to let Miller use a plane, which set him on a path to becoming a pilot as well.

“Growing up, airplanes were always in our lives,” he said. “We either owned small airplanes or had friends that owned airplanes that we were borrowing and flying places.”

Miller started Latitude 33 Aviation back in 2006 with one Cessna aircraft. Since then, he brought in a partner in 2011 and has grown it to become today's industry-recognized solution to private jet charter, management and sales company.

A solo pilot at age 16, captain at age 23 and pilot for a major U.S carrier at 26, Miller’s accomplishments reflect the success of Latitude 33 Aviation. The company closed 2017 with $157 million of assets under management and completed $68 million in aircraft sales and acquisitions transactions.

Miller has created regular team meetings with all levels of employees in order to promote employee satisfaction and trust. Externally, he has built trusted relationships which have helped Latitude 33 establish collaborations with local, national and international businesses. These external collaborations, led by Miller have resulted in new and successful business ventures.

He said the drive to focus on the right thing for the company’s customers is what drives him to success.

“While it’s great making money, I think having a business you’re proud of and the close relationships with clients you create means more in the long term than the short-term dollar,” he said.

In 2017, Miller contributed to 11,000 hours of flight time, his professional relationships helped Latitude expand the mid and super mid-sized aircraft portfolio and increase operations in Los Angeles private charter.

With his efforts, the company grew its private jet charter flight operations by 50 percent in 2017.

Miller serves as a mentor to pilots, employees and partners above, below and at his career level. He motivates and inspires his team to perform at their best.

Miller’s emphasis on community involvement continues to increase year over year. The strong relationships Casey has built within the San Diego community promoted Latitude 33 Aviation helped raise more than $50,000 for community organizations in 2017, much of which will benefit local youth and educational opportunities.

He also partnered with the Rancho Santa Fe Education Foundation, Hanna Fenichel Center, Grauer School, University of San Diego and Toys for Tots to raise funds for educational programs, student scholarships, and holiday gifts.