Starks to leave presidency of Jazz, become head of all LHM operations

The president of the Utah Jazz has been named the CEO of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies.

Steven E. Starks will leave his position as president of the Jazz and LHM Sports & Entertainment after serving for four years to become CEO of the Miller Group and an executive member of its board of directors. The move is effective Aug. 12.{mprestriction ids="1,3"}

“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 our company’s 40-year heritage, values and culture,” said Gail Miller, chairman and owner of the Miller Group.

“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. 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.”

The Miller Group, based in Sandy, is a privately owned, family business with more than 10,000 employees at businesses across the U.S. Its focus falls within six primary categories: automotive, sports, entertainment, finance, insurance and real estate.

“I believe in the LHM mission to enrich lives and I am humbled and honored to be entrusted with this new responsibility,” Starks said. “I have a strong appreciation for the talented team behind our everyday successes, and I enjoy the diversity of our portfolio and industries. 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.”

Starks will succeed Clark Whitworth, who stepped down from the Miller Group in January to become a mission president for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mexico. Whitworth was with the organization for 31 years, including four years as CEO.

Don Stirling, an executive vice president of LHM Sports & Entertainment, will assume the role of interim president for that entity and the Utah Jazz business operations until the position is filled.

Despite leaving as president of the Jazz and LHM Sports & Entertainment, Starks will remain involved with Jazz basketball operations and continue to serve as an alternate member of the NBA Board of Governors. During his time as president, Starks also oversaw the Salt Lake City Stars, an NBA G League team; the Salt Lake Bees, a Triple A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels; Vivint Smart Home Arena; Megaplex Theatres; the Tour of Utah professional cycling race; and The Zone Sports Network.

After joining the organization in 2007, he held several leadership roles, including executive vice president of LHM Management Corp., where he oversaw Total Care Auto Powered by Landcar and Saxton Horne Communications, as well as developed a merger and acquisition strategy for LHM dealerships and the company.

Stark previously had worked for Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., where he helped manage the governor’s transition team and led the Utah Policy Partnership aimed at improving efficiencies within state government.

In other roles, Starks is a board member of Silicon Slopes; recently completed his term as 2018 chair of the Salt Lake Chamber Board of Governors; served on the Board of Trustees at Weber State University from 2007-2017; and was a trustee for The Road Home from 2013-14. He graduated from Weber State with a bachelor’s degree in integrated studies and completed an executive education program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.{/mprestriction}