Harold Miller’s distinguished career in the paper industry began shortly after he graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1951 as a process engineer. In 1952, he joined Marathon Corp. in Menasha as a Junior Engineer and later moved to American Can Corporation.
In 1966, at the age of 38, Harold and four partners founded Marathon Engineers/Architects/Planners, Inc., a consulting and design firm dedicated to the pulp and paper industry. The firm quickly grew, establishing offices in Menasha, Milwaukee, Little Rock, AR and Augusta, GA. As one of the original founders and Vice Presidents, Harold earned a reputation as the instrumentation guru of the company.
By 1981, Harold had ascended to the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman and in 1986 he added the title of President. Under his leadership, Marathon Engineers thrived and in 1989 the firm was recognized as one of the top 50 Engineering/Architectural firms in the United States and the largest in Wisconsin specializing in the pulp and paper industry.
Harold led the sale of the company to Jaakko Poyry in 1990 and it continues today as Poyry Appleton. Throughout his tenure, he made significant contributions to customer paper manufacturing needs, enhancing efficiencies, increasing production and improving quality, thereby ensuring that their clients maintained a competitive edge. Marathon’s impact was extensive, participating in over 5,500 projects globally and earning numerous awards.
Beyond his professional achievements, Harold was an influential figure in the Fox Cities community. He served on the Board of Directors for several local firms, including MEI Services and Electromeasure Co., which evolved into Plexus. His community involvement was extensive, serving as the Menasha Police Commissioner for ten years and supporting various local organizations through volunteer leadership and substantial anonymous donations.
After retiring, Harold continued to contribute significantly to his community. He was particularly proud of his roles with two Fox Cities institutions: the Atlas Science Center, formerly the Paper Discovery Center in Appleton, where he served as Director and the Heckrodt Wetland Preserve in Menasha, where he was Chairman. Harold’s legacy is marked by his professional accomplishments and his dedicated community service.
