Honorary Woodland Hills Mayor Michael Miller Passes Away

I don’t believe I ever met Michael, but by all accounts he was a valuable member of our community and will surely be missed.

The San Fernando Valley Business Journal writes:

Insurance agent and honorary mayor of Woodland Hills Michael Miller died after suffering a heart attack. He was 62.Miller was a familiar face in the west San Fernando Valley from his involvement in not for profit and charitable groups.

Miller opened his State Farm insurance agency in 1981. He served as president of the Fernando Award Foundation, the vice president of the Woodland Hills Neighborhood Council in addition to his seven terms as the honorary mayor of Woodland Hills.

Miller was named a “Small Businessperson of the Year” by the California Assembly in 2002 and honored by State Farm that same year with the “Circle of Excellence” Award. He was also one of State Farm’s Select Agents with the “Legion of Honor.”

Miller is survived by his wife Jennifer; daughter Montana; and son Chandler.

Services take place Feb. 15 at 2 p.m. at St. Bernardine’s Church, 24410 Calvert St. A reception follows at the Warner Center Marriott, 21850 Oxnard St., Woodland Hills.

The Woodland Hills Tarzana Chamber of Commerce writes on their Facebook page:

Michael Miller’s Biography and Background

With over three decades of service in high-profile leadership roles in his community and his industry, Michael Miller is renowned for his strength of character, integrity and for his commanding presence. Standing tall in both stature and in the classic values of goodwill and service to others, Michael’s ceaseless energy and efforts to improve those organizations in which he serves continues to set new heights of achievement for what one can achieve with a positive attitude and lots of hard work.

As the Honorary Mayor of Woodland Hills and owner of a State Farm Insurance Agency, Michael has received numerous accolades from both his industry and the community. In 2002 he received the Joseph Staller Memorial Award for outstanding excellence in the community of Woodland Hills. Michael was also honored in 2002 with the “Small Business Person of the Year” award in the California State Assembly-sponsored event with the United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley acknowledging the area’s top leadership. Professionally, State Farm Insurance Companies honored Michael for the “Circle of Excellence” Award in 2002 in addition to being one of State Farm’s Select Agents with the “Legion of Honor.”

Besides serving in his seventh term as Woodland Hills’s Honorary Mayor, Michael serves as president of the Fernando Award Foundation, as vice president of the Woodland Hills Neighborhood Council, as a community advisory board member for the Encino-Tarzana Hospital, and mentors at Pacific Lodge Boys Home. His other credits include chairing the Woodland Hills Family Festival, acting as chairman of the 4th of July Celebration at Pierce College, and he is a past president of the Woodland Hills Chamber of Commerce. After over 20 years of ongoing work to improve his community, this Vietnam War veteran has finally made his mark overcoming numerous challenges in life through his grace of character and perseverance to overcome obstacles.

Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Michael served in the Vietnam War where he emerged with both a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for acts of courage. Michael earned the Bronze Star when, after his weapon jammed, he engaged with the enemy in hand to hand combat, helping to save his company. Three months later while “walking point” ahead of his company, he was shot during a sudden ambush. Although his leg was shattered, he returned to the States making full recovery despite doctor’s predictions that he would never walk again. Through seven operations and a year spent in a V.A. Hospital, Michael learned how to face and overcome all odds through a positive “can do” attitude, an iron will to survive, and an unyielding gratitude for life.

Following his recovery, Michael earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico, then an MBA in accounting from Arizona State University. In addition to completing the curriculum, Michael began his career in community service by getting involved with the Red Cross, the United Way, the Young Republicans Club, and Big Brothers of America who named him “Outstanding Big Brother of the Year.” A few years later, while serving as controller for State Farm Insurance’s Westlake Village office in California, Michael was again acknowledged when he was elected to the prestigious group, “Outstanding Young Men of America.”

In 1981, Michael opened his State Farm Agency in Woodland Hills. Over the past two decades, he’s become one of the most active members of the business community, but the role he is most proud of is his work over the years with Pacific Lodge Boys Home. Michael has also had proven success with fundraising. His group work with the American Heart Association through the Heart Run has raised over $1.5 million and over $100,000 for the American Red Cross.

El Camino Real High School, the Woodland Hills Police Department, Maryvale Orphanage, the American Diabetes Association, Woodland Hills Elementary School, and St. Bernardine’s Parish have all benefited from Michael’s fundraising efforts. He has also been known to double as Santa Claus, visiting retirement home residents in the San Fernando Valley for the past 22 years.

List of Michael’s Distinguished Awards

2008 Los Angeles Police Department awards Michael in appreciation for his support of the Topanga Area Police Station

2008 Certificate of Recognition presented by Councilman Dennis Zine on behalf of The City of Los Angeles for exceptional support in making the Grand Opening of Fire Station #84 a great success

2008 Firechief Douglas L. Barry honors Michael for his generous support of the Los Angeles Fire Department

2007 Duty, Honor, Country Award presented by The Americanism Educational League

2004 Circle of Excellence State Farm Public & Community Award

2003 AYSO Region 71 Community Service Award

2003 Valley Interfaith Council Community Leadership Award

2001 Joseph Staller Award for Outstanding Community Service and Dedication

2001 Woodland Hills Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year

1993 Woodland Hills Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year

1992 Woodland Hills Chamber of Commerce Committee Chair of the Year

1991 Woodland Hills Chamber of Commerce Director of the Year

1991 Good Guys Retailer Outstanding Leadership and Community Service Award

1980 Outstanding Young Men in America

List of Michael’s Organizational Memberships

1973- Present American Legion Sergeants at Arms (1975-1976),

Chaplin (2006-present)

1982- Present Woodland Hills-Tarzana Chamber of Commerce

1985-1987 Chair of Local Legislation

1987-1989 Chair of State Legislation

1990 Chair of National Legislation

1987-1995 Board of Directors

1992-1994 Chairman 4th of July Event at Pierce College

1994 President

1995 – Present Honorary Mayor, Woodland Hills

2002 – Present Valley Interfaith Council Advisory Board

2003 – Present Encino-Tarzana Hospital Advisory Board

2005 – Present St. Bernardine’s Church, Peace and Justice Committee

2006 – Present West Valley Police Boosters Vice President

2000 – Present Woodland Hills Homeowners Association

1993 – Present San Fernando Valley Bicycle Club

1995 – 2005 Fernando Award Foundation

1991-1995 Delegate to the Fernando Award Foundation

1995-2005 Board of Directors (Event Chair & Scholarship Co-Chair)

2002 President

2000-2005 Founding Chair of the Woodland Hills Family Festival

2004- Diabetes Association Dinner Dance, Co-Chair

2003- Woodland Hills Neighborhood Council, Vice-President

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• Article Link: San Fernando Valley Business Journal Article