A TRIBUTE TO MY 1ˢᵗ BUSINESS MENTOR

Nothing can truly prepare you for the moment you learn of the passing of your first significant business mentor.

Professor Eugene Miller was my business mentor for over two decades, and after 99 years of incredible life accomplishments, he passed away in his home in November of 2024. Professor Miller was often described as “A Man of Many Hats.” As someone who started his professional life as a journalist in 1947, retired in 1991 as the vice chairman and director of the United States Gypsum Company (USG Corporation), and continued working as an adjunct professor at various universities through 2012, I’m sure you can imagine all the lives Prof. Miller influenced. One, of course, being mine, I’d like to share just how he impacted my life and career.

I met Professor Miller while attending Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in 1996. He introduced an MBA course where he invited successful executives to share with our class their own “Journey to Success”. I can’t remember the exact class title, but I remember the impact it had on my career as I listened intently to various speakers. I quickly noticed they all brought with them a common message that resonated with me: “Nothing great is easy. If success was easy everyone would be successful.” Achieving significant accomplishments often requires hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Furthermore success isn’t simply a matter of having a good idea or talent; as a matter of fact, many people may possess those qualities, but not everyone achieves their goals. It is the willingness to tackle difficulties, the determination to strive for improvement, and the resilience to bounce back from failure that truly sets successful individuals apart from others. I recalled this aphorism quite frequently throughout my academic and professional journeys. I now find myself repeating this same message to my 3 college-aged kids, as they begin discovering their own paths.

Professor Miller and I stayed in touch post-graduation and communicated regularly as I grew as a professional and pursued my goals. Just as I was getting ready to launch GES, I met with Prof. Miller in May of 1998. I remember joking with him that I would name the future GES Headquarters the “Miller Center of Business Excellence”. I still hope to deliver on that promise one day.

During our visits, he often stressed the need for accomplished and successful executives to pass their knowledge on to younger people. “Knowledge Transfer” was the concept he emphasized way before it became a buzzword in the corporate world.

He knew the business world better than most people I had met, and his unmatched ability to convey his thoughts and suggestions was surpassed by his genuine interest in helping me find my unique path to success.

As life, family, and work evolved at an astonishing pace, our mentoring sessions became less frequent. However, I am grateful that we never lost touch completely. We always made it a point to connect whenever we could, often squeezing our conversations in between his numerous cruises, which he enjoyed immensely. My last visit with Professor Miller was in 2020 during the Covid Pandemic, as he was recovering from a fall. Although his memory had begun to wane, it was remarkable to see him light up just minutes into our conversation. He started asking insightful questions about my work and family, demonstrating the depth of his care and engagement.

While I have encountered many intelligent and accomplished individuals throughout my life—many of whom became mentors and friends—Professor Miller will always hold a cherished place in my heart and mind.

Professor Miller, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule when so many others wouldn’t, and for always ensuring that my path remained on course. I will be forever grateful for the time we spent together and the wisdom you shared with me.