Chewy’s “Peanut Butter Box” commercial captures the joy pets feel when their Chewy delivery arrives. Thanks to a dynamic logistics operation, Chase Miner (’13, ’14) played a crucial role in bringing happiness to countless pets and owners.
Miner’s rise from a modest upbringing in Mesa, Arizona, to becoming a key figure in the e-commerce world is a story of industrial-strength grit. His path was forged by military service, a deep sense of responsibility to his family and his drive to keep learning.
A Pathway to Success
“Nobody in my family had ever actually finished high school,” Miner reflects. Despite dropping out himself, Miner was determined to break the cycle. He worked full-time and enlisted in the U.S. Army at 18, driven by a desire to support his family and improve his prospects.
Joining the Army provided the financial means to pursue higher education through the GI Bill and ignited Miner’s passion for learning. His experience as a truck driver in the military and exposure to logistics laid the groundwork for a successful career in operations and supply chain management.
Army life also provided recognition of his abilities. Miner realized his service offered more than just a paycheck — it provided leadership opportunities. His first company commander encouraged him to compete in progressive military boards from battalion-to division-level competitions. “He changed my life by telling me, ‘Go get it, go after what you want,’” Miner recalls.
During his deployment to Iraq, Miner engaged in counterintelligence operations and route reconnaissance that led him to set his sights on degrees in Global Security and Intelligence Studies and International Business at Embry Riddle. However, low math scores initially barred his admission. Undeterred, Miner took community college courses online to gain admittance. “I just committed to getting into Embry-Riddle,” he says. “And when I got in, I started taking my education seriously.”
Graduating summa cum laude, Miner created a new family legacy and also set himself up for continued education. By completing a five-year degree in two-and-a-half years, he preserved GI Bill benefits for the executive MBA he is now pursuing.
E-Commerce Success: A Career at Amazon and Chewy
Despite his strong academic background, job offers were scarce. Miner joined Amazon as an area manager, marking the beginning of his ascent in the corporate world.
“I got to stand up a logistical operation and move Amazon from not having a license as a commercial carrier to having a multi-billion commercial import program in its second year.”
Chase Miner (’13, ’14)
At Amazon, Miner quickly earned multiple promotions. He leveraged his background in global security and intelligence to make significant contributions to Amazon’s operations. His work in China, where he helped launch Amazon as an international freight forwarder, was a career-defining experience. “I got to stand up a logistical operation and move Amazon from not having a license as a commercial carrier to having a multi-billion commercial import program in its second year,” Miner recounts.
This experience solidified Miner’s expertise in transportation and logistics, leading to a role in Amazon Transportation Services. There, he managed forecasting and scheduling for the global transportation network, sharpening his analytical skills.
In 2020, Miner joined Chewy as a director, overseeing sales and operations planning and advanced analytics, ensuring that the company’s vast inventory was strategically placed to meet customer demand. “I am the composer of the symphony,” Miner explains. “I don’t play an instrument, but I know the music well enough that everyone else can follow me.”
Chewy, known for its exceptional customer service, grew rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic when demand for pet products surged. Miner’s ability to navigate supply chain complexities during this time reinforced his reputation as a leader in the field. He also played a key role in Chewy’s ongoing success, helping the company maintain its competitive edge, running with the big dogs like Amazon and PetSmart. Ultimately, he returned to Amazon and now serves as a principal focused on supply chain management.
A Man and His Dog
Despite his demanding career, Miner makes time for his personal passions, including his love for animals. He shares his household with a Goldendoodle. “Zeus is a good boy. Sweet temperament, the best,” Miner says with a smile. While many colleagues are pet owners, he jokes that at Chewy, “it is completely acceptable to shame anyone at work for not having a pet.”
“None of this would be possible without Embry-Riddle. It unlocked a better existence for my family. My parents are so proud of my degree that it’s not unusual to see them wearing Embry Riddle gear.”
Chase Miner (’13, ’14)
He remains close to his family. It is a point of pride that his success has enabled them to move from a trailer to a home on a golf course. “None of this would be possible without Embry-Riddle,” he says. “It unlocked a better existence for my family. My parents are so proud of my degree that it’s not unusual to see them wearing Embry Riddle gear.”
As customers and pets happily open their deliveries of pet food, toys and dental chews from Chewy, they can thank an Eagle who helped make it possible.