With three decades in Denver’s commercial real estate industry, Sherm Miller was revered for his business acumen, leadership skills and passion.
But even more so, the man with an infectious smile was adored for his .
“He was a tough business person, but he had a way of being very warm and affable,” said David Ikenberry, dean of University of Colorado’s Leeds School of Business.
Sherman Ralsey Miller IV, executive director for the at the Leeds School, died Wednesday. He was 64.
Miller landed at CU in 2011 after three decades in the Denver-area commercial real estate industry.
In his new role in academics, Miller served as an advocate of experiential learning and worked tirelessly to provide students with internships and other opportunities to further their education and skills, Ikenberry said.
Miller strived to help find internship and permanent job placement opportunities for all of Leeds’ real estate students, Ikenberry said. Those actions did not go unnoticed.
“In the last few years under his leadership, growth in our undergraduate real estate programs went up substantially,” he said.
Miller’s passion also extended to supporting faculty, introducing real-estate specific technology and driving philanthropic efforts.
“And he was just a wonderful bridge/statesman between the campus and the broader real estate community,” Ikenberry said.
Miller came to CU from Cushman & Wakefield, where he served as the executive managing director. Miller also worked in various capacities at what is now CB Richard Ellis.
Over his professional career, Miller was honored for his work in promoting diversity. He also received an honorary dean designation from the University of Denver’s Franklin L. Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management and was presented a lifetime achievement award by NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association.
A 30-year commercial real estate veteran himself, James Mansfield, who replaced Miller in the role of market leader at Cushman’s Denver office, ran in the same circles as Miller. Speaking of his colleague on a personal level, Mansfield said Miller was a good friend and mentor who was incredibly genuine.
“He just always had an infectious smile, and he always made you feel important,” Mansfield said. “He really cared for people. And for me, personally, coming in when he left, he was always interested in how I was doing and how the company was doing.
“He had a very personal affection for the people that he worked with for years.”
Miller’s philanthropic contributions extended to organizations such as the Arapahoe House, a substance and alcohol abuse treatment center in Denver.
“While it included monetary donations, even bigger than that was just (him) being an ambassador to our mission,” Arapahoe House development director Aleah Horstman said.
Miller was never bashful about telling his own story of alcohol abuse, and by sharing his experiences with humor, he broke down the stigma of the disease, she said.
That authenticity carried through all of his encounters with Horstman, she said.
“The man always e-mailed me back; he never hesitated to sit with me,” she said. “I just always really appreciated him treating me like his peer and wanting to get to know me. It was just refreshing in my line of work.”
Miller graduated from the University of Arizona in 1973 with a bachelor of arts degree with distinction in sociology and economics.
CU Real Estate Center staff are compiling stories from students, alumni and preparing a book for Miller’s family. To share a memory or photo for the book, e-mail Danielle.depotter@colorado.edu.
A service for Miller is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on April 27 at Christ the King Church, 830 Elm St. in Denver.
CU officials established the , which would provide support for the CU Real Estate Center at the Leeds School of Business in a way that honors Miller’s legacy and his family’s wishes. To donate to the fund, visit:
Miller is survived by his wife, Mary Sullivan, and their children Buzz and Ralsey.
Alicia Wallace: 303-954-1939, awallace@denverpost.com or twitter.com/aliciawallace
