CARY, N.C. -

As a kid, it wasn’t the funny pages that attracted Dustin Miller’s eyes. It was the car section of the newspaper.

And that interest in the auto business hasn’t gone away. Miller is chief financial officer for America’s Auto Auction and Auction Credit Enterprises, a position he has held since 2006.  He has been with the company since its 2005 formation.

“I was previously with a venture capital firm that made an investment in what is today America’s Auto Auction and Auction Credit.  I stepped in as CFO in 2006 and here we are today,” Miller said.

“Growing up I have always loved cars and the car business. I would spend my Saturday mornings not reading comics, but reading the car section of the morning newspapers,” he said. “At 8 years old, I was having my parents drive me all around the city to look at cars. 

“I love the auction atmosphere,” Miller said. “While my job chains me to the desk most of the time, it is so refreshing to go to the auctions and see the action, customers, employees and the cars.”

When asked what about his career he takes the most pride in, he said: “I am most proud of the two great companies we have built (America’s Auto Auction and Auction Credit Enterprises) over the last 11 years. 

“We started the company back in 2005 and since then we have added 12 auction locations and developed a great management and finance team. I believe we have some of the best professionals in the industry. I am proud of this nomination as well. This year, I was a finalist in the Dallas Business Journal CFO of the Year (program),” Miller said.

“I ultimately did not win, but the acknowledgement was fairly uplifting.”

As far as the folks he admires professionally, Miller cited Andy Beal, a Dallas billionaire with whom he used to work.

Miller said he “cut my teeth in the finance world working for him” and enjoyed watching him make the Forbes 400 list.

Dustin Miller, 39, is the chief financial officer at America’s Auto Auction and Auction Credit Enterprises

View entire list of 40 Under 40 honorees.