Longtime Henry S. Miller Cos. executive Dan Arnold has been named president and chief operating officer of the firm’s brokerage group. The move comes in the wake of the departure of other long-tenured executives, Robert Grunnah, former investments division president; Sam Kartalis, former president and COO of the firm’s realty services group; and Greg Trout, former president of office and industrial brokerage operations.
Greg Miller, president and CEO of Henry S. Miller Cos., promised big changes when he took the helm of the firm his great-grandfather founded 100 years ago. (See this profile in D CEO for more details.)
In a memo to employees that went out last Friday Miller wrote: “Change isn’t always easy, but it is almost always necessary to ensure the growth of a company. Today begins our opportunity to create a more efficient and productive platform for our real estate business and we are committed to that end. … This change is an opportunity for us to move forward into our second century with the ideals of our long and rich history and our passion for excellence in our field. … “We thank Sam, Robert and Greg for their years of service and wish them the best as they pursue their new endeavors.”
Grunnah, in an email, relayed news of his departure to friends and associates, saying he and several partners have decided to pursue new directions. “We are excited about our objectives and feel this move was in everyone’s best interests,” he wrote. “I regret leaving this 100-year-old company after so many years, but our new opportunities were compelling. We wish the very best for the future of the Miller family.”
Arnold first joined Henry S. Miller back in 1970, nearly 45 years ago. He left in 1972 to become a founding partner in Swearingen Co., and spent 29 years there before rejoining Miller in 2000 to lead the firm’s corporate services group. A consistent top producer, Arnold also is a past recipient of the prestigious Stemmons Service Award.
Change represents opportunity, he said in a statement. “My goal will be to assess where we are, where we want to go, and then those changes needed to create an atmosphere that will encourage and welcome new talent to join our team,” he said. “It’s a new day at Henry S. Miller with restructured leadership, state-of-the-art research and technology services, and new opportunities to grow with one of the most respected names in real estate.”
Greg Miller said Arnold was his first choice to lead the division: “He has a strong work ethic, unique organizational skills, and an intense focus with a long-term strategic view that has won the respect of both his clients and peers. Our family is excited he agreed to accept the position and I am personally looking forward to working closely with him.”
Henry S. Miller Cos. will remain active in the development, management, brokerage, and appraisal of real estate, Miller said. The company also has been actively recapitalizing its assets with new equity sources, he added. “We will continue to grow, diversify and improve the quality of our real estate portfolio in the days ahead,” he said. “The Henry S. Miller Cos. have been around for 100 years. And, together, we will ensure it is around for another century.”
