Having completed a term as president of the Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce, and a subsequent term as ‘past president,? Kurt Miller recently went back to where he started, as a member of the chamber board of directors.
He likes being involved too much to give up his seat any time soon.
Miller credits Ron Davis for recruiting him to the chamber several years ago.
‘He said, ‘You should think about getting involved in the chamber; by the way there’s a board seat opening up.??
Miller, who ‘came back? to his native Michigan in 1998 after living in North Carolina for several years, said he wanted to find meaningful involvement in the community. He found it in the Clarkston chamber.
‘They’ve done a good job in transitioning to an organization balancing between community and it’s major focus, small business,? he said.
Kurt Miller is one of the principles (his father, Richard, is the other) of RDM Associates, founded as an accounting and management services consulting firm. The younger Miller is a certified public accountant with lots of individual and corporate clients.
‘Most of the clients we have are growing,? he said, speaking optimistically about the future of the business sector. ‘There’s opportunity out there.?
With a firm belief in adapting to new circumstances and taking advantage of new opportunities, RDM has become involved in some non-traditional services including outsourced accounting and financial consulting services for a group of medical university faculty members who provide clinical services outside their instructional duties.
The local firm is now working with ‘complex entity structures? and ‘new entrepreneurial companies? to help relieve them of accounting concerns to allow them to focus on their cutting edges strengths.
‘We’ve been able to connect with some top notch people,? Miller said. ‘We see a need that’s not filled by companies that are really good at it.?
That kind of progressive passion was evident during Miller’s tenure as president, as well. He and his successor, Tim Patterson, presided over a transition from an ‘old guard? system to a more business-like model in which the board sets policy and allows the professional staff to implement that policy.
That doesn’t mean a lack of hands-on help from the members. Indeed, one emphasis has been to get more members involved to help lighten the load on everyone. The many community events sponsored by the chamber are ‘valued? by the members, which is evidenced by how many help out.
‘The real payoff is the sense of connection to other people, a sense of real contribution and significance, feeling like they’re part of something that is making a difference,? he said.
That, in turn, leads to a secondary impact which is not so secondary.
‘Ultimately, you want to drive business growth, but at the same time that is more an effect of people getting in and connecting with each other and achieving a common purpose.?
Miller believes the chamber has also done a good job of expanding horizons to include membership from larger corporate and retail entities, while remembering the basic purpose of a local chamber of commerce.
‘They’ve done a good job in transitioning to an organization balancing between community and it’s major focus, small business.?
This past year, as past president, Miller said he really didn’t have to do too much, unless the current president or president-elect were unavailable to chair board meetings.
‘I think [the title] is more of a thank you for the outgoing president,? he said.
That is now changing. Back as a regular board member, Miller looks forward to serving on the chamber’s scholarship committee, another important community service function.
‘Everyone who has been a part of it has talked of what a great experience it is. I’m looking forward to it,? he said.
The senior Miller said his son does not limit himself to chamber service, but also volunteers to help Clarkston Rotary activities; he has also been seen on the streets during the annual Goodfellows newspaper sale.
Between business and service activities, life is full. But Miller relishes opportunities for leisure activities, including spending time with family. Along with his wife, Jamie, and daughter, Grace, 2-1/2, Miller enjoys spending time with his parents enjoying non-business-related matters.
And the toddler is a favorite of both dad and granddad.
‘It’s just neat to have sort-of conversations with her,? Miller said.
He also enjoys deer hunting. While he’s proud of the deer he bagged last season, his true confession comes quickly.
‘I’m exceptionally bad,? he said. ‘I have missed more close range shots than I care to discuss.?