Miller stepping aside at Gia after eight years
Pub Date: 3/1/2008
Rich Miller, executive director and lobbyist for the Gaming Industry Association of Montana (GIA) announced his resignation effective March 31 at the group's quarterly board of directors meeting in Helena Jan. 31.
Miller served a term as president of GIA before becoming its executive director eight years ago. He formerly owned and operated the Best Bet casino on South Brooks St. in Missoula.
The Wolf Point native "grew up in the bar business" as the son of the late Lynn and Thelma Miller, who worked bars in Wolf Point, managed them in Livingston and owned them in Helena. Currently, Rich is a minority partner with his sister, Bonnie, and brother, Mick, in the family enterprise, Miller's Crossing, in Helena.
Rich sold his business interests in the Best Bet group years ago and bought a substantial sailboat that he has been sailing between Florida and the Bahamas between long periods of managing the affairs of the GIA, including working elections and legislative sessions.
Miller was regarded by business association members and leaders, colleagues and business acquaintances, as a consummate political analyst, astute student of government function, and a master at scrutinizing legislation and administrative rules. Most regarded him as "a good guy" as well.
Upon announcing his resignation, he said he was determined to spend more time on his boat while also becoming more actively involved with the operation of the family business.
Mark Staples, Miller's counterpart at the Montana Tavern Association, has worked closely with him over the years and expressed a "great sense of loss" when hearing of Miller's plans to disengage.
Staples said, "There is no one, and I mean no one, who has a more comprehensive knowledge of gaming in Montana than Rich Miller...period.
"Rich is well-liked and well-respected by Montana legislators," Staples continued. "They trust him and they consider him an expert--as they should--on all matters concerning gaming. He also is an avid student of the legislative process and has great enthusiasm for it that translates into a high level of effectiveness.
"I don't think you could come up with a document request related to gaming--no matter how obscure or dated--that Rich couldn't produce within a short time.
Not only is he a walking, talking repository of the history of gaming in Montana, he's got it all catalogued and indexed.
"To have all that technological savvy in the person of such a true gentleman, is a rare combination. Rich not only understands the broader policy implications of gaming, as well as their human impacts, he also understands, like few others, the mechanical minutiae of how the machines actually work."
Staples said, "This line of work--and the stresses that are inherent in it--will chew you up and spit you out. If Rich will find some better overall health and piece of mind from standing down, he's certainly earned it and I'm very happy for him.
"But I'm grieving a little for myself and our 'gaming team' of Rich, Ronda (Wiggers, MCMO lobbyist) and myself, because he's been such a great and truly irreplaceable partner. He will be sorely missed, and by no one more than Ronda and me. I give Rich the highest compliment that working Montanans give a fellow toiler: 'He's a helluva hand!'"
As Staples alluded, Miller also worked closely with Wiggers, lobbyist for the Montana Coin Machine Operators Association.
She said, "I am sure that Mark has spoken eloquently, as that is his role on our team. And, that 't eam' is precisely what we are all losing with Rich's retirement.
"Rich and I took a bit of time to figure out exactly how to work together. That first (legislative) session was a bit rough around the edges. But we now have such a great team built. We know each other's strengths and weaknesses and adjust accordingly."
Wiggers continued, "Rich knows this industry from the inside. His knowledge of the history, the people and the day-to-day workings of the business are so valuable. He not only knows the laws and rules, he knows who wrote them, why they were written the way they were, and even who participated in the debate and what they said.
"And Rich is our numbers guy. He not only accumulates all the charts, graphs and numbers, he knows where he filed them! Without him, I'm going to have to learn to file...and this is not a good thing.
"He also has the rare gift of patience. It is truly an asset that he brings to everything he does.
"Additionally," Wiggers said, "Rich has become a very good friend. He covered for me when my parents were in the hospital and cuts me slack when I need to go 'be a mom.' How do you ever truly thank someone for that?
"I am happy for Rich that he will get more time on his boat, with his grandkids and helping Bonnie at the bar. However, I can't quite imagine doing this job without him."
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, March, 2008, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.