Steve Miller named to succeed Meredith J. Long as Chairman of Board for Texas Heart Institute

January 2012

The Texas Heart Institute (THI) at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital (SLEH) recently announced that its long-serving current Board Chairman Meredith J. Long will step down and Steven L. Miller has been elected to serve as the new Chairman.

Miller, a Houston resident, was Chairman of the board of directors, President and CEO of Shell Oil Co. until his retirement in 2002. He currently promotes volunteer work through his company SLM Discovery Ventures, Inc and has served in leadership positions in numerous charitable organizations.

He also will retain his seat on the Board of Directors at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital. Long, a noted businessman, patron of the arts and philanthropist who has served as Chairman since 1993, will join Issac Arnold, Jr. as Chairman Emeritus of the board.

“We want to thank Meredith Long for his distinguished and dedicated leadership. Much of the success and progress we’ve had in advancing the fight against cardiovascular disease can be attributed to his tireless efforts and visionary guidance,” said THI President and Medical Director James T. Willerson, MD.

“We’re excited to have Steve Miller step in. He has both a track record of high-level success and a well-known and respected commitment to community and to the mission of the Texas Heart Institute,” added Willerson. “Steve’s role on the St. Luke’s Board will help to further strengthen our proud partnership with the hospital as we continue as one of the world’s foremost heart centers and research institutions.”

The THI Board also elected David Grimes and re-elected Bobby S. Shackouls to serve as Vice Chairmen. Grimes is a principal in Grimes Energy Co. and Shackouls is an energy executive who served as President and CEO of Burlington Resources, Inc. at the time of its acquisition by Conoco- Phillips in 2006.

“An organization like this doesn’t rise to this level and stay there so consistently without truly remarkable physicians and scientists and without excellent board leadership and support. We certainly have that top to bottom, and we feel very grateful for it,” said Willerson.