Home: Carmel, IN. Organization: Ouabache Investments. Title: Managing director. Significant other: My wife, Tracy Schmidt Miller. Alma mater: Purdue University. Languages spoken: English and German.
Current project: Divesting one of our portfolio companies. Latest accomplishment: Successfully hiring two key executives for one of our portfolio companies. Latest contribution to others: Supporting three students each year with a $2,500 scholarship. What’s been your big (or biggest) leap? Leaving the private sector and entering public service. Hobbies: Watching sports, particularly Cubs baseball. Recent travel or adventure: Spain and Portugal with my wife. Recently viewed and recommended: House of Cards.
Personality profile: Quick-humored, somewhat introverted and fun to be with. Moral compass: My Catholic faith. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Working with people who share a common goal but are not bashful in expressing their opinions, even if they are contrary to the group. What is your greatest joy? My faith and my family. What is your greatest fear? Not being able to support my family. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? College professors. What is at the top of your bucket list? To visit every MLB ballpark. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Having it well planned and being with family and friends.
What was your first paying job? Brand manager at Procter and Gamble. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Monopoly. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? A photograph of Ronald Reagan throwing out the first pitch at a Cubs game. What’s the best advice you received in your career? You can be a great doer, but that does not mean you will be a great manager. What is your go-to source of news and information? Fox News. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? The Bible. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? The resurrection of Jesus.
What change would you like to see in the world?
A more pragmatic and less polarized society.
What message do you want to send out into the world? Let’s come together to resolve issues and recognize that means all of us giving up something. What widely held belief do you reject? That certain people are not capable of succeeding. What mega-trend most excites you? Young people returning to their faith. What mega-trend most concerns you? The dehumanization of people resulting in violence.
Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My dad. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A lawyer. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? My best friends. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? Asking God for complete forgiveness. What advice would you give your younger self? Don’t stress as much. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? My wedding. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? My late thirties.
Personal mission: Dedicating my life to Christ and my family. Personal motto: Never give up. Favorite quote: "If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again" (Proverb). Desired epitaph: He lived a full life.
