Larry Mizel

Early life

Larry A. Mizel was born to a Jewish family in 1942. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma in 1964, and with a JD from the University of Denver College of Law in 1967.

Career

With $50,000, Mizel founded the Mizel Development Corporation in 1972, a homebuilding company which later became M.D.C. Holdings, Inc., parent company to Richmond American Homes.

In March 1996, Mizel was elected president of the company, a position he held until July 1999. Mizel is the chairman and chief executive officer of M.D.C. Holdings, and under Mizel's tenure, MDC realized revenues of nearly $5 billion in 2005 and over the past decade, has consistently maintained one of the strongest financial positions in the industry.

Mizel was a founder, and until 1996, was chairman of the board of Asset Investors Corporation (AIC), a New York Stock Exchange-listed real estate investment trust, and of Commercial Assets Inc. (CAX), a real estate investment trust, that traded on the American Stock Exchange. In addition, he was chairman of the board of directors of Omnibank, a multibank holding company, until its sale to KeyCorp in 1995.

Philanthropy

Mizel has been actively involved in many charitable, religious and community causes.

He is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations, an independent, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to helping people better understand the world and foreign policy choices facing the United States and other countries.

As one of the early supporters of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, Mizel has served as the international chairman of the board of trustees since 2003. Based in Los Angeles, the Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international human rights organization that promotes tolerance and combats racism and anti-Semitism around the world. Its educational arm, the Museum of Tolerance, a recipient of the 2004 Tolerance Award given at the United Nations, is a world-class human rights laboratory and learning center dedicated to challenging visitors to confront important contemporary issues. Mizel is also co-founder of the Museum of Tolerance-Jerusalem, a 3-acre campus, encompassing 37,161 sq.m. (400,000 sq.ft) of space and 21,600 sq.m.(232,500 sq.ft) of buildings to include: the Museum of Tolerance; a Children's Museum; theater complex; international conference center; library; gallery for special exhibitions; lecture halls and gardens. The Simon Wiesenthal Center is accredited as a non-governmental organization at international agencies including the United Nations, UNESCO, the OAS, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament.

Mizel is a member of the board of directors of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) (since 2002), which works to help make Israel more secure by ensuring that American support remains strong.

In 1986, Mizel founded and served as the inaugural chairman of Colorado Concern, an organization committed to promoting sustainable business growth and advancing the economic well-being of Colorado and he was recognized in October 2016 with a tribute video.

In 1982, Mizel and his wife, Carol, founded the Mizel Museum. Mizel also founded, as a part of the Mizel Museum and its larger umbrella organization, the Mizel Institute, the Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab (the CELL) in 2004. The CELL is a non-profit institution dedicated to preventing terrorism through education, empowerment and engagement. Located in Denver, the CELL opened its facility in 2009 with the purpose of educating citizens on global terrorism threats.

The Mizel Center for Arts and Culture is also named for Mizel, but is a separate organization located in Denver at the Jewish Community Center. The MACC illuminates the human experience through creative and cultural programs in the performing, visual, and literary arts for the Jewish Community and the community at large.

As a founding member of the Denver Rustlers, Mizel works with other Colorado business leaders to support youth in the community. From raising scholarship money, to supporting participants at the Junior Livestock Sale at the annual Colorado State Fair, to opening the Denver Rustlers Kids Cafe in 1994 to combat childhood hunger.

In December 2011, he was named the "7th Most Powerful Person" in Denver by the magazine 5280.

In April 2014, he was named the "15th Most Powerful Person" in Denver by the magazine 5280.

In January 2016, he was inducted into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame.

Awards and recognition

Over the years, Mizel has been the recipient of recognition by various organizations. In 1987, he received the National Humanitarian Award from National Jewish Health, a global leader in the research and treatment of respiratory, immune and related diseases. In 1996, he was named Honorary Dean of the University of Denver's Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management. In 2001, he was one of the recipients of the distinguished Ellis Island Medal of Honor which pays tribute to the immigrant experience and individual achievement. Honorees are listed in the Congressional Record. In 2002, he was awarded the title "Honorary Irishman" by the Ancient Order of Hiberians, a Catholic-Irish-American Fraternal Organization founded in 1836, for his work in supporting the heroes of the September 11 attacks in 2001. In 2003, he was made an Honorary Colonel of the 88th Regiment of the Army for his creation of the Victims of Terror Fund. In 2005, Mizel received the Defenders of Freedom award from the National Homeland Defense Foundation, an organization that is dedicated to securing freedom in the fields of homeland defense and security. In 2010, Mizel was awarded the Ben S. Wendelken Special Trustees Award by Colorado's El Pomar Foundation for embodying the spirit of service and giving through his life's work. In 2011, he received the Steve Ross Lifetime Achievement Award from the Milken Institute and was named a Colorado State Patrol honorary colonel.

And in September 2012, United States Senator Mark Udall paid tribute to Larry from the Senate Floor. The Tribute is available in the Congressional Record.

Senator Udall is quoted as saying:

Personal life

Mizel and his wife, Carol Mizel, have a grown son and daughter and six grandchildren, Zoe, Jakey, Izzy, Sara, Ayla, Mz