President of Flight Operations
UPS

As President of Flight Operations & Safety, Captain Mills has global oversight of and responsibility for UPS Airline Flight Operations, Crewmembers, Dispatchers, Crew Scheduling, Crew Training, Crew Logistics, U.S. Cargo Sales & Charters, Air Dangerous Goods, Regulatory Compliance and Flight Operations Safety.

Prior to his current position Houston served as Global Aviation Strategy & Public Policy Director, where he advocated for federal and international aviation policy and collaborated with domestic and international industry groups to harmonize aviation safety standards and sustainability rules. He was also responsible for aggregating aviation strategy issues under one umbrella within UPS to help maximize safety and reliability for the company, as well as service to UPS’s growing global customer base.

Houston also served as UPS’s Part 119 Director of Airline Safety and Compliance for over 10 years where he was responsible for ensuring safe and regulatory compliant Flight, Maintenance, and Ground support operations, Emergency Response preparedness, and interaction with government regulatory and safety organizations worldwide. Under his leadership UPS became one of the first U.S. airlines to have a certified Safety Management System (SMS). Other senior leadership assignments included: UPS International Chief Pilot, where he was responsible for crew-related international flight operation activity and as the Director of Flight Training where he was responsible for the UPS Advance Qualification Program (AQP) for all crewmembers.

In 2024 Houston was appointed by the Secretary of Transportation to the FAA Management Advisory Council where he serves as one thirteen industry executives who are tasked to advise the FAA Administrator and Senior Leaders on Strategy, Policy, Funding, and other matters deemed important to the FAA Administrator. Houston also served as Chairman of the FAA Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee, whereas one of thirty-five executive stakeholders they explored and made recommendations to the FAA Administrator on strategy supporting the advancement of Advance Air Mobility and Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) integration into the National Air Space system (Houston was part of this Federal Advisory Committee for eight year). He also serves on the Board of Governors for the Fight Safety Foundation, Cargo Airline Association Board of Directors, Board of Advisors of Embry-Riddle Center for Aviation/Aerospace Safety and has served on Board of Advisors of RTCA, IATA Operations Advisory Council, and Airlines for America (A4A) Safety and Operations Council.

A native of Indianapolis, Houston received a bachelor’s in English literature from Wabash College, MBA from Webster University, and in 2024 received an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from Vaughn College of Aeronautics & Technology. He also holds a Professional Human Resources (PHR) designation. Houston began his aviation career in 1985 as a Marine Corps officer and F/A-18 fighter pilot where he was certified as an air combat tactics instructor (ACTI). He served the United States in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Restore Hope and Southern Watch. He has more than one-hundred aircraft carrier landings to his credit. He has previously served as an FAA designated check airman and is currently an international qualified Captain on the Boeing 757/767.

In step with UPS’s commitment to the community, Houston has served on numerous Boards to include The Organization of Black Aerospace Professional (past Chair), Washington Aero Club, Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Association for Uncrewed Systems International, Center for Women & Families, Hospice, and many others. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Center for Families Literacy, Organization of Black Aerospace Professional Board of Advisors, and is president of the Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Kentucky. Houston also had the honor to be the operating captain of the first COVID 19 Vaccine delivery flight in the U.S. in December 2020.Houston is married, the father of three, two son-in-laws, and one grandson. Houston particularly enjoys motivational speaking, golf, and has coached various youth sports for many years.