Mixing blood and business.

• Position: Western

Steve Miller, 56, was a young employee at Biltmore House when brothers George and Bill Cecil Sr. split the Asheville estate their grandfather George Vanderbilt built at the end of the 19th century. During his 34 years with The Biltmore Co., the tourism business that Bill Cecil and his heirs built around the 250-room chateau, revenue increased from $3 million to the $140 million projected for 2011. As executive vice president, Miller was its top nonfamily executive until he left in July to start a family-business consulting firm.

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What's the biggest threat to an ongoing family business?

Family members lacking a common vision.

Like what happened between the Cecils.

Exactly. They were both great people. They just didn't have a common vision. This generation, it really wants to stay together.

What difficulties did you face?

There were some glass ceilings. Plus, you make the best recommendations you can, but it's the family owners' final decision.

Give us an example.

I wanted a hotel on the...