Gail Miller (businesswoman)
Gail Miller | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 14, 1943 Sandy, Utah, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, business leader |
| Years active | 1965–present |
| Known for | Leadership of Larry H. Miller Company, former owner of Utah Jazz, owner of Real Salt Lake |
Karen Gail Miller (; born October 14, 1943) is an American entrepreneur who leads the Larry H. Miller Company, a position she took on following the passing of her husband Larry H. Miller in 2009. She was the owner of the Utah Jazz NBA franchise from 2009 until 2020 and later acquired Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2025. Miller is also deeply involved in charitable activities through her family foundation.
Family and personal life
Born in Sandy, Utah, on October 14, 1943, Miller grew up in a family facing considerable financial challenges; her father worked as a shoemaker while her mother was employed as a housekeeper.
Her ancestry traces back to early settlers of Utah, including her great-great-grandfather Johan Otte, who immigrated from Prussia to Utah in 1898 after joining the LDS Church. This lineage reflects a longstanding connection to both the region and the church, shaping Miller’s family background.
On March 25, 1965, she married Larry H. Miller, with whom she had five children. Larry died in 2009 due to complications related to diabetes. In June 2013, she remarried Salt Lake City lawyer Kim Wilson.
Business
Following her husband’s death in 2009, Miller assumed leadership of their diverse business interests, which comprised 54 automobile dealerships, a chain of movie theaters, and ownership of the Utah Jazz. One of her first initiatives was to form a board of directors despite some initial opposition. Under her guidance, the company divested from the automotive sector and the Utah Jazz while expanding into real estate and healthcare industries. Between 2009 and 2025, the company doubled both its workforce and revenue.
By 2022, many original holdings had been sold off as the company concentrated more heavily on real estate and healthcare ventures. As of November 2020, Miller’s net worth was estimated at $1.9 billion, with her enterprises employing around 11,000 individuals. Forbes ranked her as Utah’s wealthiest person by July 2023, estimating her net worth at $4.2 billion.
In 2023, Steve Miller, the Millers’ third son, chaired the board of LHMCO.
Sports and entertainment
In May 2024, the Larry H. Miller Company rebranded its sports and entertainment divisions—including the Salt Lake Bees baseball team, their Daybreak ballpark, Big League Utah, Larry H. Miller Megaplex Theatres, and Larry H. Miller Megaplex Entertainment—as Miller Sports + Entertainment.
Utah Jazz
The Miller family initiated construction of the Delta Center (now Vivint Arena) in 1990, completing it in 1991. This venue has played a significant role in revitalizing downtown Salt Lake City by increasing pedestrian activity and attracting new businesses.
After her husband’s passing, Gail Miller took ownership of the Jazz and placed both the team and Vivint Arena into a trust in 2017 to ensure their long-term presence in Utah. The Millers are recognized for rescuing the franchise during financial difficulties in the 1980s.
In 2017, they invested $125 million toward upgrading Vivint Arena. Following an incident involving inappropriate fan behavior in 2019, Miller publicly condemned such actions to maintain community standards. During the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, Jazz player Rudy Gobert contributed $200,000 to support furloughed staff members; Miller committed to matching that donation.
In October 2020, the Millers agreed to sell a majority interest in both the Jazz and Vivint Arena to Ryan Smith—founder of Qualtrics—for $1.66 billion, roughly seventy times their original investment. The agreement included provisions requiring that the team remain based in Utah and preserved a minority stake for the Millers. It also encompassed ownership of the Salt Lake City Stars (NBA G League) and management responsibilities for the Salt Lake Bees minor league baseball team. Proceeds from this transaction were intended to diversify their business holdings and enhance philanthropic initiatives.
In 2022, they sold part of their remaining minority stake in the Jazz at a valuation of $2.25 billion according to terms established during the majority sale agreement.
Big League Utah
At the start of 2023, Miller, together with her family and the Larry H. Miller Company (LHMCO), initiated the "Big League Utah" campaign aimed at bringing a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise to Salt Lake City. A prime "shovel ready" location within the Rocky Mountain Power District was chosen for the stadium, positioned conveniently between the airport and downtown.
Miller’s late husband, who died in 2009, dedicated a portion of his autobiography to his enthusiasm for baseball and ballparks. Miller views securing an MLB team as a crucial part of her family's enduring legacy.
During 2023, LHMCO displayed billboards stating "Utah wants the A's" while hosting representatives from the Oakland Athletics, promoting a temporary move of the team to Utah as their Las Vegas stadium undergoes construction.
The real estate division of LHMCO acquired a 12-acre parcel near the proposed stadium site, previously owned by ABF Freight, and has shown interest in purchasing the neighboring former Ramada Inn property. Should these acquisitions be finalized, LHMCO would control 18 acres adjacent to the stadium—one of the few private landholdings in an area predominantly owned by Rocky Mountain Power.
By late 2023, Big League Utah had established honorary and community advisory boards including prominent leaders such as Gail Miller, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Zions Bank President Scott Anderson, and Vivint founder Todd Pedersen. The initiative also announced intentions to form a foundation dedicated to supporting local residents and businesses near the stadium.
In February 2024, LHMCO revealed a $3.5 billion development plan for the Power District that incorporates the MLB stadium. The company worked closely with local government bodies and agencies to ensure compliance with land use policies.
Early in 2024, the Utah legislature approved HB 562, committing $900 million toward financing the stadium project; LHMCO pledged to match this amount with an equivalent $900 million investment.
Salt Lake City Stars
The Salt Lake City Stars are a minor league basketball club competing in the NBA G League, based in West Valley City, Utah, and affiliated with the Utah Jazz. Their home games are held at the Maverik Center. Originally founded as the Stampede in the Continental Basketball Association, they were the sole NBA affiliate team of the Utah Jazz under a hybrid partnership model. On March 24, 2015, ownership transferred to the Utah Jazz when they purchased the Stampede, becoming the eighth NBA franchise to own their G League affiliate outright.
Salt Lake Bees
Established in 1994 by former major league player Joe Buzas, who relocated the Pacific Coast League’s Portland Beavers to Salt Lake City, the franchise secured a new stadium—Franklin Quest Field—constructed on the historic site of Derks Field. Renamed as the Salt Lake Buzz, they set a Pacific Coast League single-season attendance record with 713,224 spectators during their first season. Buzas remained owner until his passing in 2003, after which Larry H. Miller—also owner of the Utah Jazz—acquired the team. Following Miller’s death in 2009, ownership transferred to his widow, Gail Miller. The team was known as the Salt Lake Buzz from 1994 until 2000 before rebranding as the Salt Lake Stingers in 2001 due to a trademark dispute with Georgia Institute of Technology, whose mascot is also named Buzz.
Real Salt Lake
In April 2025, the Miller family secured a majority stake in Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer (MLS), the Utah Royals of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), and America First Field. This acquisition from David Blitzer and Ryan Smith was completed for $600 million.
Megaplex Theatres
Headquartered in Sandy, Utah, Megaplex Theatres is a subsidiary of the Larry H. Miller Company, operating 17 venues as of 2024. Established in 1999, its flagship location at Sandy’s Jordan Commons entertainment district opened with 20 screens and has ranked among the top-grossing theaters both regionally and nationally for select movie releases.
Health care
The Larry H. Miller Company ventured into healthcare through LHM Senior Health, which provides services including skilled nursing, assisted living, home health care, and hospice.
In January 2021, LHM Group acquired Advanced Health Care (AHC), a premium nursing home and hospice operator with 22 facilities across eight states, including six in Utah. Founded by Brett Nattress in 2001, AHC specializes in supporting patients transitioning from hospital settings to home care environments. This acquisition marked LHM Group’s initial entry into healthcare as part of a broader strategy to diversify its holdings. Following the purchase, LHM assumed responsibility for accounting, real estate management, and redevelopment efforts to enable AHC to concentrate on patient care. In 2023, AHC further expanded by acquiring facilities in Cleveland and Cincinnati.
In 2022, AHC acquired the former Harmony Hills Assisted Living Center located in Lehi, Utah. After renovations that introduced amenities such as a salt-water aquarium, fitness center, salon, and library, the facility reopened in May 2023 as Aspen Ridge Residences—AHC’s inaugural assisted living community offering studio and one-bedroom apartments.
In early 2025, the Miller family foundation collaborated with Proxima Careers to deliver training programs aimed at individuals facing challenges entering healthcare professions.
Real estate
In 2021, LHM Group’s real estate division purchased the remaining 1,300 undeveloped acres along with several buildings within Daybreak, a mixed-use development in South Jordan, Salt Lake County, from Varde Partners. Plans include constructing roughly 6,000 new homes within Daybreak.
LHM Group broadened its real estate operations in early 2022 by acquiring builder Destination Homes while maintaining its existing brand identity and workforce.
In March 2022, LHM Real Estate LLCs acquired 950 acres at Richardson Flat in Summit County. By early 2024, The Larry H. Miller Company had proposed plans to develop affordable housing on this property.
The city of Park City annexed the eastern portion of LHM’s Richardson Flat land; however, LHM’s subsidiary challenged this annexation legally but was unsuccessful. Similarly, Hideout initiated annexation efforts on adjacent land with the Utah Supreme Court reviewing the case as of early 2024; no ruling has been issued yet.
Energy
In April 2024, LHMCO invested in ATTYX, a Lehi-based company specializing in energy-efficient solutions such as windows, roofing materials, insulation systems, HVAC technologies, and solar panel installations.
During the same month, LHMCO also made an investment in Torus, another Lehi firm focused on designing and manufacturing energy management and storage solutions.
Recyclops
On June 17, 2022, LHM Company revealed its investment in Recyclops, a Utah-based start-up that specializes in recycling challenging materials such as polystyrene, film, batteries, lightbulbs, and textiles, with a particular emphasis on rural areas lacking adequate recycling infrastructure. Established in 2014, Recyclops operates via a subscription model and had expanded its presence to 18 states by 2022.
Originally focused on servicing apartment complexes, Recyclops pivoted to cater to single-family residences in municipalities without existing recycling programs. The company relies on a gig economy framework, employing independent contractors to fuel its expansion.
In 2022, Recyclops extended its operations to Bowling Green and Warren County in Kentucky, as well as Aitkin County in Minnesota. The following year, it achieved B Corp certification through B Lab.
By 2024, the firm had expanded its footprint to at least 30 states. It transports recyclable materials to the closest metropolitan recycling facilities and seeks to minimize greenhouse gas emissions by avoiding conventional garbage trucks, which also reduces road wear. Collaborations with businesses enable the recycling of difficult items such as insulated liners used for cold food transport and disposable diapers.
The company's 2024 focus centers on providing rural residential recycling services alongside business-to-business waste management solutions, with a strong emphasis on serving the food service sector through enterprise-level offerings.
Car dealerships
The Millers purchased and rebranded a Toyota dealership in 1979, eventually developing a network of dealerships that reported approximately $5.4 billion in sales revenue by 2019.
In September 2021, Asbury Automotive agreed to acquire LHM Group's dealership portfolio for roughly $3.2 billion, which included $740 million allocated for real estate assets. Despite the acquisition, the dealerships continued operating under the LHM brand. Corwin Auto Group took ownership of LHM Liberty Toyota and the LHM Toyota dealership located in Boulder, Colorado.
During the Miller family's tenure, the dealerships initiated an annual food drive campaign supporting local food banks.
Swig
Toward the end of 2022, LHM Company secured a majority ownership stake in Swig while founder Nicole Tanner and her partners retained significant minority shares. In 2023, Swig planned to launch 25 company-owned outlets and commence franchising activities. That same year, Megaplex Theatres began retailing Swig products. In April 2023, Swig marked the opening of its 50th location in Prosper, Texas with a promotional celebration.
By August 2023, Swig announced intentions to establish 250 additional locations across seven states through operations managed by twelve franchisees.
Philanthropy
In 2007, Miller and her husband founded the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation. By 2019, they had implemented a process that encourages younger family members starting at age twelve to participate actively in philanthropy by selecting charitable organizations and preparing funding proposals for approval by the foundation’s board.
Education
In 2000, the Millers made a substantial contribution toward Brigham Young University’s $7 million baseball and softball complex named Miller Park; the fields honor both Gail and Larry H. Miller.
Since 2002, they have supported the Larry H. and Gail Miller Enrichment Scholarship program, contributing approximately $13 million by 2022.
In 2007, they established Driven 2 Teach—also funded by Zions Bank—which offers primary and secondary history educators educational trips to historic sites across the United States.
Miller advocated for Utah legislation that provides free menstrual products to students and donated $50,000 to SisterGoods. In 2022, their family foundation partnered with the Andrus Family Foundation to support distribution of period products within public schools.
In March 2022, the foundation awarded Southern Utah University’s Entrepreneurship Center a $2.1 million matching grant that brought total funding support to $3.6 million.
That same year, the Millers donated $3 million to endow a directorship at Utah Valley University’s Center for Constitutional Studies, which educates university students and K-12 learners about the U.S. Constitution.
Miller contributed $1.5 million in 2022 toward establishing centers supporting homeless students within public schools—including $1 million designated for the Davis School District.
Also in 2022, their foundation provided $3.5 million to Weber State University’s Miller Advanced Research and Solutions Center (MARS), focusing on national defense research near Hill Air Force Base.
Miller serves as an emeritus trustee at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC), where she has been a longstanding major donor. In 2022, their family foundation granted $10 million toward renovations of SLCC’s business school building—now named the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Business Building—and renamed it the Gail Miller School of Business; it is Utah’s only business school named exclusively after a woman.
As of 2024, the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation sponsors the Sterling Scholar program that awards scholarships to outstanding high school seniors.
That year also saw Miller donate $2.5 million through her foundation to Utah State University’s Huntsman School of Business.
Additionally in 2024, her foundation contributed $1 million toward construction of Ogden-Weber Technical College’s Pathway Building to enhance classroom space and student services facilities.
Health and social services
In 2019, Salt Lake City saw the opening of the Gail Miller Resource Center, established to assist individuals experiencing homelessness.
Miller contributed $50 million to Intermountain Healthcare (IHC), sparking a $500 million fundraising initiative. She had been a member of IHC's board since 2013 and held the position of chair from 2018 until her departure.
Toward the end of 2020, Miller auctioned her late husband's coin collection valued at $25 million, directing the earnings to finance a second campus for Primary Children's Hospital located in Lehi. Additionally, she invested $50 million directly into its development. The Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Campus, spanning 38 acres, began patient services in February 2024.
In 2022, Miller allocated $5 million to the Utah Housing Preservation Fund aimed at refurbishing affordable housing units. Her foundation, together with entities such as the Huntsman Family Foundation and Zions Bank, contributed $2 million to support those affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Retail outlets under LHM Group also collected in-kind donations for this cause.
For Thanksgiving 2022, the Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Foundation collaborated with local authorities and nonprofit organizations to distribute nearly 3,000 meals along with additional assistance—such as vaccinations, COVID-19 testing, hygiene supplies, legal support, and transit passes—at the Salt Palace Convention Center. This event marked the foundation’s 24th consecutive year providing such services.
In 2023, Miller provided $250,000 toward establishing transitional housing for survivors of domestic violence in Ogden. That year also commemorated the 25th annual Thanksgiving event hosted by the Larry H. Miller Company, which broadened its offerings to include dental cleanings, mental health counseling, and bicycle maintenance.
The Miller family foundation donated $3.5 million to the Huntsman Mental Health Foundation in 2023 and continues as a key contributor to the Utah Impact Partnership, an organization dedicated to addressing homelessness. Early in 2024, it financed a new distribution center for the Utah Food Bank located in Springville.
Miller holds a board position at Shelter the Homeless and is a co-founder of the Utah Impact Partnership. In 2024, her foundation issued an $850,000 matching grant aimed at enhancing mental health services at Southern Utah University.
The foundation also supported building transitional housing managed by YCC Family Crisis Center in Ogden and granted $1 million toward expanding Fairpark Deeply Affordable and Permanently Supportive Housing for homeless veterans and elderly residents in Salt Lake City.
Toward the end of 2024, the Miller family initiated the Westside Community Grant program with an investment of $500,000 designed to assist nonprofits providing social services on Salt Lake City’s west side; beneficiaries include NeighborWorks and University Neighborhood Partners.
In 2025, the foundation contributed funds for renovating the Oneida Stake Academy, specifically supporting HVAC system installation and additional restoration projects.
LDS Church
Miller’s late husband originally financed a research team at BYU focused on early documents of the LDS Church, culminating in The Joseph Smith Papers, an extensive archive of writings by or about church founder Joseph Smith (1805–1844). This endeavor received Miller’s backing through $10 million in bonds along with supplementary funding and produced an accompanying television series. The final volume—the twenty-seventh—was released in 2023. Miller has continued to provide financial support for this project since then.
Sports and recreation
Miller's family foundation contributed $5 million to upgrade the softball facilities at Big Cottonwood Regional Park, now known as the LHM Softball Complex. An additional $4 million was allocated to enhance the Larry H. Miller Softball Complex located in Valley Regional Park, Salt Lake County, improving the fields, spectator seating, and drainage systems through collaboration with local officials.
In late 2023, the foundation partnered with Salt Lake City to support renovations of baseball fields at Riverside Park. Early 2024 saw a $22 million donation directed to Salt Lake City's Ballpark NEXT initiative, which is part of a broader $100 million neighborhood revitalization effort surrounding Smith's Ballpark.
February 2024 featured a $2.2 million contribution aimed at water conservation through the Antelope Island Learning Center. This included facility upgrades and the addition of a new theater, coordinated with various Utah state agencies.
Toward the end of 2024, the foundation committed $25 million toward constructing a regional arts center in South Jordan, with the Larry H. Miller Company donating three acres of land for the project. The planned facility will include a theater, multipurpose event areas, classrooms, and an art gallery managed by Salt Lake County Arts and Culture.
In 2025, the foundation provided $500,000 to St. George Musical Theater for developing a new performance space and granted $1 million to the Museum of Utah. It also pledged $2 million toward rebuilding the Alta Canyon Sports Center in Sandy, scheduled for completion in 2027, complementing funding from local government sources.
Veterans
By 2023, Miller’s foundation was supporting Utah Honor Flight, an organization that offers complimentary trips for veterans to visit war memorials.
Voting
Miller established Count My Vote, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting voter engagement.
Redemption Bank
In 2025, Redemption Holding Company acquired Holladay Bank and Trust based in Utah and rebranded it as Redemption Bank. This acquisition marked the creation of the United States' 24th black-owned financial institution and represented the first black-led purchase of a bank previously owned by non-minority interests. The Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation was among the investors backing this transaction.
Recognition
Miller was honored with the ATHENA International Award in 2012, an accolade sponsored by Wells Fargo and presented by the Salt Lake Chamber.
In 2015, she received Utah’s highest business honor, the "Giant in our City" award from the Salt Lake Chamber.
The University of Utah conferred upon her an honorary doctorate in 2017.
In 2019, the Congressional Award Foundation bestowed its Horizon Award on her at Capitol Hill in recognition of her contributions to youth and community service. That same year, The Salt Lake Tribune named her "Utahn of the Year."
Early in 2020, Ford’s Salute to Dealers awards acknowledged Miller for her philanthropic efforts and community involvement, highlighting LHM Group’s Larry H. Miller Day of Service.
At the close of 2023, she received the inaugural NewsMakers award from the Salt Lake Tribune for outstanding community service.
In April 2024, Miller earned the title "Pillar of the Valley" from the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce.
June 2024 marked her induction into the David Eccles School of Business Hall of Fame at the University of Utah.
Later that year, Davis Technical College awarded the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation with the Haven J. Barlow Legacy Award.
Also in 2024, Deseret News recognized Miller among "10 influential women in Utah history."
Politics
In 2013, Miller joined forces with former Utah Governor Mike Leavitt and ex-First Lady Norma Matheson to launch "Count My Vote," a bipartisan campaign focused on reforming the state's electoral system.
By 2020, Miller, alongside various business executives, publicly supported Republican Spencer Cox in his bid for governor.
Boards
Miller holds a position on the advisory board of Zions Bancorporation and is also a member of the governing boards for Intermountain Health and the Utah Homeless Council.