SANDY — Larry H. Miller has promoted his oldest son to be chief executive officer of his car dealerships, movie theaters, sports venues and the Utah Jazz.

Greg Miller, 42, will run the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies with the assistance of a newly created board of governors. Larry Miller will be the board's chairman. Other board members include family matriarch Gail Miller and Greg Miller's brothers Roger Miller, Steve Miller and Bryan Miller.

Greg Miller made the announcement at a news conference late Wednesday afternoon at the Larry H. Miller Group offices in Miller-owned Jordan Commons, flanked by company spokesmen and some of his brothers. Absent was 64-year-old Larry Miller, who has been in the hospital for more than a month for complications with Type 2 diabetes.

"It's been an emotional day," Greg Miller said. "But I've been working in this organization since I was 12."

Larry Miller, in a news release, said he had full confidence in his son: "Greg has done an excellent job of learning all aspects of the company, and Gail and I feel that he is ready for this opportunity to play a stronger role in the future of the organization."

The Larry H. Miller Group is private and has operations in Utah, Arizona, Idaho, Oregon, Colorado and New Mexico. A spokeswoman for the company declined to comment on yearly revenue. In 2001, the Utah Jazz team was estimated to be worth $211 million. The company also owns the Salt Lake Bees, Miller Motorsports Park and The Fan Sports Network, which includes KJZZ Channel 14, KFAN 1320 AM and ESPN Radio 1230.

The Millers own Megaplex theaters in The Gateway mall in Salt Lake City, as well as in Lehi, Ogden, Sandy and South Jordan. They also own the Mayan Adventure restaurant, EnergySolutions Arena, an advertising company, a financial-services company, a catering company, Fanzz Sports Apparel and the Utah Jazz Store.

The family has remained tight-lipped about Larry Miller's health. On Wednesday, Greg Miller revealed that his father is in a recuperating unit at a local hospital and is working with a physical therapist, "regaining his energy."

"His health continues to improve, and this decision is one he drove," Greg Miller said.

Greg Miller said his father will continue to provide guidance to the Larry H. Miller Group. Larry Miller's personal assistant remains on staff, and his office remains intact.

"He will have that as long as he's alive, as far as I'm concerned," Greg Miller said.

Larry Miller is known for his energy, as well as his hands-on management style and distaste for bureaucracy. He built most of his companies from scratch. Greg Miller plans to continue that legacy. "My job will be to perpetuate it and to refine it," he said.