SANDY — After an eight-month national search, one of the state's most well-known business brands has selected a familiar face to become its new top executive.
The Larry H. Miller Group announced Wednesday that Utah Jazz President Steve Starks will become its new CEO effective Aug. 12.
Following a rigorous national and internal search, it was apparent to the board and the Miller family that Steve has a deep understanding of and commitment to the company’s 40-year heritage, values and culture, said Gail Miller, chairwoman and owner of the LHM Group of Companies.
"We did a thorough search," Miller said. "(The search firm) vetted a large number of candidates for us. We created a list of qualities we were looking for, interviewed a lot of people and broke it down to a few."
Then, after hours of "grueling" interviewing over a long period, the decision to hire Starks was made, she said.
"We are a company that generally promotes from within but we knew that in his situation, we had to choose a candidate that was the best out there," she added.
"For more than a decade, he has demonstrated strong leadership capabilities as the head of several of our diverse businesses, leading operations and commercial functions, and prioritizing the customer experience and talent development,” Miller said. "Steve will be responsible for the overall design and execution of our long- and short-term business strategies and has articulated a strong vision to ensure we continue to be the best place in town to work and to do business.”
A graduate of Weber State University, Starks joined the organization in 2007 and has held numerous leadership roles during his tenure. Speaking in what will become his new office at LHM headquarters in Sandy, he expressed great appreciation for being chosen to lead the organization he has worked for for more than a decade.
"I am humbled that I was given this opportunity," Starks said. "I love this organization. I've been here 12 years (and) worked in various parts of the businesses and have learned from the Miller family the culture and the values that are so important to them that have made the company so successful.
"Today I feel a sense of humility and gratitude and the sense of wanting to keep and preserve the legacy that's been built within our community that is the Larry Miller Group and to help build upon it so that we leave it one day stronger than when we found it," he said.
Besides his role as CEO, Starks will also serve an executive member of the LHM Group board of directors.
In ascending to the corner office of the C-suite at LHM, Starks will step down as president of the Utah Jazz and LHM Sports & Entertainment — a position he has held since 2015. He will be replaced by Don Stirling, an executive vice president of LHM Sports & Entertainment, who will take the role of interim president for the Jazz until the position is filled on a permanent basis.
Miller noted, however, that as LHM Group CEO, Starks will remain actively involved with Jazz basketball operations and continue to serve as an alternate member of the NBA Board of Governors.
During his tenure as president of LHM Sports & Entertainment, Starks was also responsible for the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League, the Triple-A minor league Salt Lake Bees — affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, Vivint Smart Home Arena, Megaplex Theatres, the Tour of Utah professional cycling race, along with the Zone Sports Network. Since 2007, he held a variety of leadership roles, including executive vice president of LHM Management Corp., and developed a merger and acquisition strategy for LHM vehicle dealerships and the company, a news release states.
Prior to joining the LHM Group, Starks worked for former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., helping to manage his transition team, and led the Utah Policy Partnership aimed at improving efficiencies within state government.
“I believe in the LHM mission to enrich lives and I am humbled and honored to be entrusted with this new responsibility. I have a strong appreciation for the talented team behind our everyday successes, and I enjoy the diversity of our portfolio and industries,” Starks said. “I look forward to working closely with Gail, the board of directors and the Miller family to ensure we operate consistently with our guiding principles and lead with the future in mind.”