Miller names son as CEO of his empire
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 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.
Recent comments
Get off of Gail! She's a great woman and has more smarts than...
CB | July 18, 2008 at 6:41 p.m.
Best wishes to Larry and his family!
Very few people will...
JM | July 17, 2008 at 11:16 p.m.
I think people are getting it wrong. It is the third generation...
Guy | July 17, 2008 at 11:02 p.m.
