Anyone who lived in Northern New Jersey in the 70s and 80s, frequently driving up and down Route 46, remembers a local landmark—several actually. What began in 1976 as a single-location Herman Miller dealership selling the Audi and Porsche brands has since grown into a family legacy. And their logo? Well, there’s a good reason it’s a checkered flag.
Paul Miller was born in Rochester, New York, in 1945, to Paul and Louise Miller. His father was a media titan and CEO of Gannett Corp., known today as USA Today, and President of the Associated Press. To say Paul Jr. had big shoes to fill is an understatement.
Paul initially followed in his father’s footsteps, but he had a love for racing, and the racetrack consistently called to him. “Dad eventually left the newspaper business and followed his passion for motorsports into the car business,” explains his son, and current Chief of Communications, Hayes Miller, “My grandfather was a legend in his industry, and Dad eventually became a legend in his.”
It was his affiliation with Porsche as a driver that prompted him to invest in a dealership with his partner, Joe Herman. In fact, that original building still stands at 250 Route 46. Their partnership lasted for seven years until Paul Miller bought out his partners and began the auto group we know today.
Hayes explained, “Dad got the Porsche Audi franchises in 1976, Land Rover in 1986, and Bentley Rolls-Royce in 1991. So those five brands were at 250 Route 46, until 1997 when Land Rover moved into its own location, followed by Audi in 2004, and Porsche in 2005.”
Growing this powerhouse has certainly been a family affair with Paul at the helm. His son, Paul “Trent” Miller III, who took over as President and CEO in 2024, says, “It was definitely something to witness. I always loved cars growing up, and I got to see my father drive a lot of amazing race cars at a high level. That was always his passion.”
All three brothers, Bryce, Trent, and Hayes, grew up in racetrack pits. Hayes remembers, “That’s how it all started. In the 80s, my father raced at Le Mans, and he won the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1988—those were my earliest memories. I had my own little go-kart, and he’d let me drive around the infield at Lime Rock Park while he was on the racetrack. My older brothers were driving go-karts at up to 80 mph. My brother, Bryce, was the International Karting Federation’s National Champion at age ten.”
Spending the weekends on the racetrack led to weekdays at the dealership. Trent says, “We all shared that enthusiasm together. Dad expected us to do the same thing he was doing, which was winning, and he reminded us often. We all jumped on the bandwagon and followed his lead.”
And follow they did. “As a kid, I started working in the carwash because I just wanted to be around. Then I worked in parts, and also in service. In fact, we all came up through service. I’ve worked every department in the building so I could earn respect through contributing meaningfully,” says Trent.
Immersing themselves in their family business makes the entire operation feel different as it has grown. There’s camaraderie. There’s respect. And there’s an affection for their father’s strong legacy that is carried on with impressive dedication. Hayes explains, “In the beginning, it started with just 40 employees and one location. Now Dad has 15 locations and 700 employees. And at least 150 of those colleagues have been with Dad for over a decade.”
This year, the Paul Miller Auto Group is celebrating 50 years in business, and the current generation in charge is just getting started. “We try to prioritize and value each employee. That’s our differentiator. Our employees are number one, and that translates to a great customer experience,” says Hayes.
Paul Miller was always so dedicated to his employees; they are the sole reason he opened more dealerships. Trent explains, “He only built the auto group because he wanted to employ more people, provide more to the community, and help them improve their lives. He wanted to give them room to grow. In fact, his employees are even mentioned in his mission statement—employees first.”
We had the pleasure of conducting our interview in Paul Miller’s office, and Hayes proudly showed a pin his father kept on his desk. It reads, Be Better Than Yesterday. And while their father has stepped back from the dealership, he’s still running a racing team in the most competitive sedan series in the country. In fact, Paul Miller’s car just won the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January. Slowing down doesn’t seem to be in his DNA; he’s too busy getting better.
And the desire his sons have developed for continuing what their father started is nothing short of admirable. Their joyous sincerity as they walk through the dealership and interact with their employees—some of whom have worked for Paul Miller since the brothers were just boys—is heartwarming. They surely walk the same walk as their father did.
Hayes shared, “We joke with Dad and ask, ‘Where’s your trophy case?’ If it were up to him, all of his trophies would be collecting dust somewhere. He’s not big on pomp and circumstance. He’s shining the spotlight on others, not himself.”
What does the future look like for Paul Miller Auto Group? “Expansion,” Hayes says. “We aspire to grow the group and add locations. Dad taught us if you’re not growing, then you’re stagnant.”
Leading the industry with integrity, care, and vision is surely their way forward. Trent says, “We have great growth opportunity, but at the same time, we try to have a lot of fun. The only way to go is up.”
We all jumped on the bandwagon and followed his lead.
We try to prioritize and value each employee. That’s our differentiator. Our employees are number one, and that translates to a great customer experience.