Oakland, CA— Portland Trail Blazers President Larry Miller has been named the country’s Most Playful CEO in a nationwide search for inventive leaders who incorporate play and innovation into the work environment to encourage collaboration and teamwork. The award is sponsored by Playworks, a national nonprofit organization that supports learning and a positive school climate by providing healthy, inclusive play and physical activity.
Miller joined the Trail Blazers in 2007, moving to the organization after 10 years at Nike, where he was responsible for the company’s global basketball business. According to the nomination, since becoming president of the Portland Trail Blazers, he has started new traditions for the company to help bring levity to the workplace with an emphasis on balancing work and life.
“We had an amazing and playful group of nominees and finalists,” said Playworks’ Board Chair Randy Drake, Senior Vice President of Fitness for 24 Hour Fitness and head of the selection committee. “However, Larry stood out in his success at changing the culture in the workplace to recognize that his business can be about both sport and play. He has refocused the Trail Blazer’s culture to recognize hard work, while still extraordinarily committed to building a more playful and active environment. I truly believe the example he sets has enabled people to maintain a better life balance while still performing at their peak.”
“Play is a powerful tool, and not just for kids on the playground,” explains Playworks Executive Director, David Rothenberg. “Smart leaders use play to bring out the best in people in a variety of settings. By participating in playful group activities, people become inspired and motivated – collaboration and innovation are supported and advanced."
Miller and runners-up for the Most Playful CEO will be recognized at the Playworks’ Second Annual Get in the Game gala dinner May 22 in San Francisco hosted by San Francisco 49er Chief Operating Officer Andy Dolich.
About Playworks
Playworks is a national nonprofit organization that provides safe, healthy, inclusive play and physical activity to schools at recess and throughout the entire school day. Founded in 1996 Playworks is the only nonprofit organization in the country to send trained, full-time coaches to low-income, urban schools. Playworks currently serves more than 70,000 children in 170 low-income schools in 10 cities throughout the country every school day. By 2012, Playworks will serve more than 650 schools in 27 US cities. For more information, visit www.playworks.org.
About the Portland Trail Blazers
Winners of the 1977 NBA Championship, the Portland Trail Blazers are Portland's only major league professional sports franchise. Owned by investor and philanthropist Paul G. Allen of Seattle since 1988, the Trail Blazers continue to be a competitive NBA leader in playoff appearances, sports marketing and community relations. With a corporate culture that promotes volunteerism, the Blazers Community Builders employee volunteer program was a key centerpiece in the Trail Blazers receiving the prestigious National Points of Light Award for Excellence in Corporate Community Service. The Trail Blazers were the first and continue to be the only professional sports team to achieve this honor.
