Chamber prez Miller resigns after 18 months

Scott Miller, who merged several business organizations under the umbrella of the Indy Chamber, has resigned as chamber president after about 18 months on the job, the group announced Thursday morning.

His resignation will be effective May 31.

Miller told IBJ Thursday that he began thinking about returning to the private sector after he was presented opportunities with startup companies. At age 45, he realized he had accomplished his larger goals at the chamber and missed being involved in an entrepreneurial company.

“It’s kind of a tough decision,” he said. “But it’s a decision I’ve been thinking about for awhile. It was just kind of a time for reflection.”

Miller was named president in October 2011, succeeding Roland Dorson.

Miller came to the Chamber through another not-for-profit, Develop Indy. He joined the city’s economic development arm in 2008, then in February 2011 merged operations with the like-minded economic group Indy Partnership, which represented the nine-county Indianapolis area.

After being named chamber president, he managed the group's mergers with Develop Indy as well as the Business Ownership Initiative and the World Trade Club of Indiana.

Miller said that the mergers allowed him to redirect between $200,000 and $300,000 within the groups' $13 million in combined revenue for the Chamber's push for improved mass transit and other priorities.

A certified public accountant by training, Miller was president of the commercial landscape and maintenance company Mainscape Inc. prior to joining Develop Indy.

Chamber Chairman John Thompson on Thursday credited Miller with the mergers as well as increasing chamber participation of large organizations including Eli Lilly Credit Union, Indiana Pacers and Ivy Tech Community College—and drawing more money from the organizations.

“He’s a good salesman,” Thompson said.

The chamber likely will continue in its existing mission of creating an environment in which its members’ businesses can thrive, including its ongoing push for  transit, Thompson said.

The likelihood of replacing Miller with someone already working in central Indiana is high, Thompson said: “I see many, many strong candidate prospects.” The group will not conduct a national search, Thompson said.

Mayor Greg Ballard issued a statement thanking Miller for merging Develop Indy and the chamber into a “single, strong voice” for the business community.