LaVerne Miller

Sr. Maintenance Engineer

Athenaeum Hotel/Chautauqua Hotel Company — Office of the Executive Vice President

About LaVerne

My role at Chautauqua is with the Athenaeum Hotel maintenance department. My position has transcended from seasonal to full time over the last 16 years or so. As a team member, we do what we can to preserve and protect this facility as well as answering the many special needs of the other departments under the hotel’s umbrella.

There have been many work experiences over the last 55 years. I have a bachelor’s degree from SUNY at Buffalo in industrial arts education, focused on machine tool technology and drafting. I have returned to college multiple times for education enhancement. I have been involved in various aspects of the automotive field, including engine rebuilding, custom paint and body work, fabrication, design and maintenance. A large portion of my life revolved around commercial transportation as an entrepreneur. With that, I designed and built my own trailers, maintained the vehicles and ran a small business. Also, I have been involved with all phases of residential construction. I was employed as a machinist by Jamestown Precision Tool for about seven years, until they left the area, at which time returned to long distance transportation of dry goods and U.S. mail. I still carry a Class A CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) with passenger endorsement.

Why did you choose to work at Chautauqua? What do you like about working at Chautauqua?

The first-time employment here started from a knock on my home’s front door. This is a good place of employment and is close to home. There are several great individuals here at Chautauqua that help keep this an interesting experience.

Personal Interests

Photography, motorcycle riding, residential construction and various aspects of automotive work.