Gary Milgard leaves legacy of ethical leadership
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 13, 2005 Contacts: Jill Carnell Danseco, UWT Public Relations, (253) 692-4536
Gary Milgard leaves legacy of ethical leadership UWT business school benefactor built successful window-manufacturing company
Gary MilgardGary Milgard, the Tacoma manufacturing entrepreneur whose business leadership and commitment to other human beings transformed a tiny, family glass operation into one of the Northwest’s most phenomenal success stories—Milgard Manufacturing—died Wednesday morning, July 13. Born Gary Eugene Milgard at Tacoma General Hospital Nov. 6, 1936, he was 68 at his death.
He is survived by his wife, Carol Berry Milgard, daughters Cari Milgard DeGoede and Lori Milgard, son Mark Milgard, brother James and several grandchildren. A 1955 graduate of Clover Park High School, Milgard was a high jumper who lettered in track and field as well as basketball. He attended the University of Washington before throwing himself into his extraordinarily successful business career.
With his brother Jim and a growing group of employees over the years, Milgard began his career at a small shop in Nalley Valley. The company sold glass for residential window replacement, tabletops, mirrors and such. The transformation of this shop into the multi-state Milgard Manufacturing, with its reputation for service, excellence, innovation and expansion, is now legendary. The largest vinyl window producer in the western United States, the company was sold to Masco Corporation in 2001.
In 2003, with proceeds from the sale, the Milgards made a $15 million gift to the UW Tacoma Business Administration program, creating the Milgard School of Business. That gift, one of the largest ever on any UW campus, will prepare the next generation of business leaders for the South Sound. The Milgard gift to UWT also established scholarships and founded two academic centers at the Milgard School of Business. The centers will focus on ethics, social responsibility and leadership.
“It was an honor knowing and working with Gary Milgard,” said. Shahrokh Saudagaran, dean of the Milgard School of Business. “Gary’s philosophy of building success through a commitment to people will leave permanent legacies at Milgard Manufacturing and at the Milgard School of Business. As we launch the initiatives made possible by the Milgard gift, we will take great pride in honoring Gary’s memory. There will be many people at UW Tacoma who will miss his inspiring presence.”
Gary shaped the underlying philosophy of Milgard Manufacturing and was passionate about inculcating it across the company. The Milgard philosophy was to respect people, provide the best possible customer service and strive for excellent performance. This approach translated, over time, into enormous financial success and upheld the Milgard motto, “Clearly the Best.”
In 1994, Inc. magazine named Gary Milgard its Manufacturing Entrepreneur of the Year in recognition of his depth and character. In 2004, he was inducted into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans.
The University of Washington, Tacoma, honored Gary in 2003 with a Lifetime Achievement Award as part of its Business Leadership Awards, sponsored jointly by UWT and the Business Examiner.
The philanthropy of the Gary E. Milgard Family Foundation is supporting many worthy causes, including the Boys and Girls Clubs, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and the Pierce College Childcare Center. Through the Foundation, Milgard’s life will have an enduring influence for good.
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