Winning Spirit Magazine September-October 2019 | Page 4

A New Chief Executive Officer Steve Starks Accepts New Role W hen Clark Whitworth announced earlier this year that he would retire in order to take on a service opportunity for his church, it created an opening at the highest management level of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies. Clark was the first CEO of the company who wasn’t a member of the Miller family, and he was also the first CEO to work under the direction of the LHM Board of Directors. “We have incredibly capable and talented employees throughout our businesses who live our mission, vision, and values every day.” Steve Starks 2 His absence meant that the board would need to begin a careful search for a person with executive experience who would understand the unique nature of a large family-owned company made of more than 80 different entities, while also understanding how important it is for the Group to maintain a strong company culture and dedication to being “the best place in town to work and the best place in town to do business.” The search took more than seven months, during which time Gail Miller and the rest of the board interviewed dozens of highly qualified individuals from both within the Group and outside the Group. Narrowing down the candidates was a difficult and time-consuming process, but in the end, the board agreed that one person was the clear frontrunner and should be offered the position. LHM Winning Spirit September/October 2019 That person is Steve Starks, a 12-year veteran of the Group who has worked in nearly every division of the company, from automotive to sports and entertainment. He is a talented executive who has worked closely with the Miller family for many years and has a complete understanding of the Mission, Vision, Values, and Guiding Principles that have made the LHM Group of Companies a shining example of responsible and successful business practices. Steve is excited about the future of the LHM Group, saying, “We have incredibly capable and talented employees throughout our businesses who live our mission, vision, and values every day.” Together, Steve, the board, and the Miller family will lead the LHM Group into a future that looks to bring just as many incredible achievements as those we have experienced in the past. His singular talents and experiences will serve him well in these endeavors. ◆