After more than 36 years of helping students realize their career goals, International Air and Hospitality Academy founder Arch Miller has announced his retirement.
Miller founded the academy in 1979 to provide training for careers in the travel and airline industries. Over the years, the Vancouver-based institution has grown into five technical schools serving hundreds of students every year.
Though he will no longer serve as CEO and president, Miller will continue to be involved with the academy as chairman of its board of directors.
Colleen Piller, who has filled multiple roles at the academy – most recently as vice president and director of marketing – will now serve as CEO.
“Arch’s impact on the lives of our students has been significant,” said Piller, in a press release. “He has helped thousands of students create opportunities for themselves that they may not have otherwise had. His optimism and genuine concern for the students has been an inspiration to the entire organization.”
Piller graduated from the academy in 1987 and worked in the travel industry for several years before returning to the school as an instructor.
Commenting on her new position, Pill said, “I am thrilled to be leading one of the finest career schools in the country. It truly is an honor to continue the work that Arch started and I look forward to further advancing the mission of our school, which is helping our students find success.”
The International Air and Hospitality Academy includes the following career training programs: Northwest Culinary Institute, Northwest Renewable Energy Institute, Northwest Railroad Institute and the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Event Management.
