Career Timeline

Langley Porter Institute (1966-1969)

Miller's professional journey began at the Langley Porter Institute at the University of California, San Francisco, where he worked for Joe Kamiya, PhD, a pioneer in the study of bio-feedback. Miller was responsible for developing equipment used in these experiments, which allowed him to learn electronic design. When the institute acquired its first computer (a PDP-7), Miller quickly mastered programming and became an expert in real-time physiological signal processing by age 24.

The Thorax Center, Netherlands (1969-1974)

In 1969, Miller was recruited by Professor Paul Hugenholtz to join a new Cardiovascular/Pulmonary Institute in Rotterdam called The Thorax Center. Given an academic appointment at Erasmus University, Miller built a computer department of approximately 30 professionals. During his five years there, he and his team developed one of the first online intensive care monitoring systems, a Catheterization Laboratory System, and the first system to support echocardiograms. He co-authored numerous academic papers and transitioned from an individual contributor to a management role.

Mennen-Greatbatch, Israel (1974-1979)

In 1974, Miller immigrated to Israel with his family and joined medical electronics company Mennen-Greatbatch. There, he started the computer division of the parent company and commercialized work done at the Thorax Center. He was responsible for product development, sales, marketing, and finance, gaining substantial business experience. He was also appointed Adjunct Associate Professor at Tel Aviv University School of Medicine.

Digital Equipment Corporation (1979-1983)

Upon returning to the United States in 1979, Miller joined Digital Equipment Corporation, then the number two computer company in the world. He managed hardware development and support for low-end computers. A year later, he was selected by CEO Ken Olsen to lead development of Digital's entry into the personal computer market. The resulting products, known as the Professional Series, were technologically advanced, featuring multiprocessing operating systems, bitmapped displays, and built-in Ethernet capability.

Franklin Computer Company (1983-1984)

In 1983, Miller became Chief Operating Officer and later President of Franklin Computer Company, an early-stage Apple II clone manufacturer. Under his leadership, Franklin reached $80 million in sales, but legal battles with Apple hindered the company's growth. Miller left Franklin in April 1984.

Intel Corporation

Miller joined Intel in August 1984, initially working with "The System Group," a division that developed computer systems. Reporting to Les Vadász, he focused on mergers, joint ventures, strategic partnerships, and minority investments. In 1988, he was named Vice President, Business Development, and later elected Corporate Vice President by the Intel board.

Co-founding Intel Capital

With the support of Intel's CEO Andy Grove, Miller and Vadász created the Corporate Business Development group (CBD), later renamed Intel Capital. This venture group became extraordinarily successful, with Miller managing a multi-billion dollar portfolio that included early investments in numerous successful companies including Broadcast.com (founded by Mark Cuban), Verisign, Broadcom, LAUNCH Media, Geocities, CNET, Covad, CMGI, and PCCW.

Residential Broadband Development

In 1992, Miller was appointed by Andy Grove to be Intel's point person working with Microsoft on consumer initiatives. Initially focused on developing an interactive set-top box for the cable television industry, Miller pivoted when this proved too expensive. Working with General Instrument, he recognized that digital TV technology could be used for high-speed residential broadband connections.

Miller organized the first major trials of cable modems with Comcast and Viacom and demonstrated working cable modems at The Western Cable Show in 1993. He got companies like America Online and Prodigy to participate in broadband trials and provided key specifications to CableLabs that became the DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) standard.

Recognizing that the cable industry lacked the technical capabilities to manage an internet business, Miller conceived of a company that would provide these services. He convinced Kleiner Perkins to work with the cable industry to create @Home Network, with Intel also investing in this high-speed cable Internet service provider. In addition, Miller oversaw Intel's activities to create high-speed DSL Internet access, working extensively with telephone companies.

Miller's leadership in developing both the technology and business infrastructure for residential broadband laid one of the most important foundations for today's internet. USA Today profiled him in 1996 as "A One Man Think Tank," and Brian Roberts, CEO of Comcast, gave Miller "much of the credit" for the development of the cable modem.