Note: the Distinguished Speaker presentation for this evening, Tuesday, Oct. 23, has been CANCELLED.

 

Dane Miller, Biomet co-founder, is Trine’s distinguished speaker

ANGOLA, Ind. – The co-founder and former president and CEO of Biomet, Inc., is Trine University’s fall 2012 distinguished speaker.

Dane Miller, Ph.D., will present “The Life and Times of Biomet” to students, faculty, staff and the public at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, in Fabiani Theatre in the Rick L. and Vicki L. James University Center.

Biomet, Inc., established in 1977 and headquartered in Warsaw, and its subsidiaries work to design, manufacture and market products used primarily by musculoskeletal medical specialists in both surgical and nonsurgical therapy, according to the company’s website. Its products are distributed in approximately 90 countries.

“We are honored to host Dr. Dane Miller on our campus, especially with Trine’s push into biomedical research efforts with our groundbreaking for the Jim and Joan Bock Center for Innovation and Research,” said Trine University president Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D.

“In reading through Trine University’s values, such as, personal growth, quality, highly responsive, trustworthy, caring and high ethical standards, I can see a lot of similarities of what my hopes are for the team members of Biomet,” Miller said.

“I look forward to meeting with faculty, staff, students, and community members on Oct. 23 and sharing ‘The Life and Times of Biomet,’” he said.

Under Miller’s leadership, Biomet grew from $17,000 in sales its first year into one of the leading musculoskeletal companies in the world – with annual sales exceeding $2 billion. Miller retired from Biomet in March 2006 and serves on the Biomet board of directors.

“Dr. Miller’s accomplishments are admirable and highlight Biomet’s efforts to meet industry needs,” Brooks said. “We are eager to hear the Biomet story of biomedical innovation because it’s that kind of creative and entrepreneurial spirit that we hope to nurture with our Bock Center.”

He was named small business person of the year in Indiana in 1984 and was Indiana Business’ entrepreneur of the year for high technology sector in 1989. In 1991, President George Bush presented Miller and three other co-founders with the Small Business Administration National Entrepreneurial Success Award. In 2001, he ranked No. 4 on Forbes magazine’s inaugural annual Best Value Bosses list. Warren E. Buffett was ranked No. 1 that year.

Miller earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical materials science from General Motors Institute in 1969. He then received a master’s degree and doctorate in materials science-biomedical engineering from the University of Cincinnati in 1971 and 1974, respectively.

From 1972 to 1975 he was employed as director of biomedical engineering at Zimmer U.S.A. in Warsaw. From 1975 to 1978, Miller served as director of biomedical engineering for Cutter Biomedical in San Diego, Calif.

Miller returned to Warsaw and formed Biomet, Inc., along with three other local individuals with orthopedic manufacturing experience.

In addition to the Biomet board, Miller serves as a World Craniofacial Foundation trustee; Indiana Economic Development Corporation board member; and Indiana University School of Medicine vice president for University Clinical Affairs and Dean Search Committee.