The two larger airports in the Houston Airport System have recently come under new leadership.
Mary Case has been named the new general manager for George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), and Perry J. Miller is the new general manager for William P. Hobby (HOU).
Case, a 28-year aviation veteran, is the first person to head all three airports owned and operated by the city of Houston: IAH, HOU and Ellington Field (EFD).
Her most recent leadership role was at HOU, during which the airport recorded high customer satisfaction levels. Mario C. Diaz, director of HAS, says that was one of the chief reasons he chose Case to take over IAH.
“The executive team for the Houston Airport System was highly impressed with the commitment to excellence that Mary Case has demonstrated over the past two decades,” Diaz says. “Her leadership at Hobby Airport has resulted in great customer service rankings. Mary was one of the first city of Houston employees that I met before I moved to Houston, and I am every bit as impressed with her today as I was when we first said hello to each other.”
In 1987, Case joined the Houston Airport System and did a variety of jobs at IAH, including positions in the operations and airfield and grounds. Eleven years later, she became airport manager at EFD; she took over at HOU seven years after that.
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have my career unfold this way,” Case says. “Not many airport managers get a chance to stay in one city as long as I have and even fewer are able to enjoy such a broad view of an entire airport system.
“I am honored to lead the eighth busiest airport in the United States,” she continues. “I began my interest in aviation as a teenager in West Virginia, and I watched planes glide across the sky over the mountains. I was inspired to learn how to fly and being at an airport is now in my blood.”
Case earned a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical studies from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She is an accredited executive member of the American Association of Airport Executives, a licensed pilot and a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
“My first priority as the new general manager for Bush Intercontinental Airport is to focus on our core values, which includes a strong commitment to customer service, teamwork and creating an environment that rewards innovation and excellence,” she says.
In his new role, Miller will oversee the daily operations for William P. Hobby, as well as the development and implementation of policies and procedures. He will also coordinate the preparation and monitoring of the HOU’s budget and expenditures.
Diaz says he was “very excited” to be able to promote him.
“Perry Miller demonstrates a strong commitment to delivering outstanding customer service for the Houston Airport System,” says Diaz. “Perry continues to share his knowledge as a mentor to those who serve on his team. I am very excited to promote within our airport system. Perry offers expertise that will strengthen our mission to exceed our passengers expectations.”
Miller joined the Houston Airport system in 1991 and has worked his way up since. His jobs included being assistant director of maintenance at IAH, general manager for Ellington Field, senior superintendent, airport properties representative, airport supervisor, airport business development coordinator and management analyst. Before accepting this new position, he was the acting senior airport manager at IAH.
“The Houston Airport System is a place where the sky’s the limit,” says Miller. “I started as a management intern from Texas Southern University, now I will help lead an airport with one of the best reputations in customer service in the world.”
He became interested in aviation when he was a child and his uncle took him to his first air show at Ellington Field, and his career has spanned 20 years.
“After that show, building model airplanes and flying remote-controlled planes became my hobby,” says Miller. “Now, I ensure that the Hobby airfield is safe for all planes to operate.”
Miller holds a bachelor of science degree in airway science-management from Texas Southern University and a master of science degree in transportation planning and management. He is an accredited executive with AAAE, is a graduate of the Airport Management Professional Accreditation Program and is designated as an International Airport Professional.
“My top priority is to implement a new strategic plan for Hobby Airport with the goal to grow international travel opportunities,” he says.
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