John Miller joined the Guide Dog Foundation and America’s VetDogs as president and CEO in March 2018. Under his leadership, the nonprofits have seen an expansive growth in national recognition and public awareness, resulting in both an upsurge in demand for their services and significant revenue increases. In fiscal year 2019, the organizations placed the most guide and service dogs with people with disabilities in their history.
During Miller’s tenure, America’s VetDogs became the home of Sully, service dog to the late President George H.W. Bush. (Sully now serves at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as a member of the facility dog program.) The Guide Dog Foundation and America’s VetDogs also continued their collaboration with the NBC “puppies with a purpose” program on the TODAY show in New York and four other puppies raised at NBC affiliates across the country.
Further, the organizations have formed new partnerships with professional sports teams across the United States, including the New York Islanders and Washington Capitals (hockey); Houston Texans (football); and Atlanta United (soccer). America’s VetDogs has also worked with NBC Sports and the NHL to create “The Stanley Pup.”
Miller has fostered a structure for open and transparent communication with all constituencies, and instituted an organization-wide platform of role and goal clarity, empowerment, and responsibility so everyone can meet goals and have the largest impact on the consumers served by the Guide Dog Foundation and America’s VetDogs.
Previously, Miller was the national president and CEO of the Tourette Association of America (TAA). Prior to TAA, he served with honor and distinction as CEO of the American Red Cross on Long Island, which included overseeing local responses to high-impact national events including Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy, the two largest disasters in recent Long Island history. He has been recognized nationally for his strong leadership and has been acknowledged as one of the most influential businessmen on Long Island, including being named winner of the Certilman Balin Leadership Excellence Award held by the Long Island Imagine Awards.
