Larry Mizel

Larry A. Mizel was born to a Jewish family[1] in 1942.[2] He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Oklahoma in 1964,[3] and with a JD from the University of Denver College of Law in 1967.[4]

In 1972, Mizel founded the Mizel Development Corporation, which became M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (MDC), a New York Stock Exchange-listed homebuilding company.[5] MDC is the parent company of Richmond American Homes,[6] HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation,[7] American Home Title and Escrow Company[8] and American Home Insurance Agency, Inc.[9]

Mizel was elected Chief Executive Officer of the company in 1988, a position he held until he assumed the role of Executive Chairman of the Board in October 2020.[10]

Mizel was also a founder of Asset Investors Corporation (AIC), a New York Stock Exchange-listed real estate investment trust, and was a chairman of its board until 1996. He also sat on the board of Commercial Assets Inc. (CAX), a real estate investment trust, that traded on the American Stock Exchange. Until 1995, he was chairman of the board of directors of Omnibank, a multibank holding company, until its sale to KeyCorp.[11]

Mizel has been actively involved in many charitable, religious and community causes.[12][13]

As one of the founders of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, Mizel has served as the International Chairman of the Board of Trustees since 2003.[4] The Simon Wiesenthal Center is a Los Angeles based international human rights organization that promotes tolerance and combats racism and anti-Semitism around the world. It is accredited as a non-governmental organization (NGO) at international agencies including the United Nations, UNESCO, the OAS, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament.[14]

The Simon Wiesenthal Center’s educational arm, the Museum of Tolerance, received the 2004 Tolerance Award given at the United Nations.[15] This campus of buildings includes the Museum of Tolerance, a children's museum, theater complex, international conference center, library, gallery for special exhibitions, lecture halls and gardens.[16]

Mizel has funded grants for several other Jewish organizations, such as the American Israel Education Foundation, Yeshiva Toras Chaim in Denver, Hillel of Colorado, American Friends of Yeshiva High School and BBYO.[17]

In 1982, Mizel and his wife, Carol, founded the Mizel Museum in Denver, Colorado.[18] The museum provides regular artistic and educational programs that promote community understanding and tolerance for residents of the Rocky Mountain region.

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.[19] Located in Denver, the CELL opened its facility in 2009 with the purpose of educating citizens on global terrorism threats.[20]

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.[21]

Mizel works with other Colorado business leaders as a founding member of the Denver Rustlers in the name of supporting youth in the community.[22] 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, this organization's mission is to make a difference in children’s lives.[23]

Mizel 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.[24]

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.[11]

In 2002, Mizel became a member of the board of directors of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a bipartisan group that advocates pro-Israel policies to the U.S. Congress and Executive Branch.[25]

In 2016, Mizel served as the Colorado finance chairman for then-presidential candidate Donald Trump’s campaign.[26]

In 2019, Mizel helped fund Colorado Governor Jared Polis’ (D) inauguration committee.[26]

Over the years, Mizel has been the recipient of recognition by various organizations.[27]

1987: Received the National Humanitarian Award from National Jewish Health, a global leader in the research and treatment of respiratory, immune and related diseases.

1996: He was named Honorary Dean of the University of Denver's Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management.

2001: Recipient 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.

2002: 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.

2003: Made an Honorary Colonel of the 88th Regiment of the Army for his creation of the Victims of Terror Fund.

2005: 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.

2010: 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.

2011: Received the Steve Ross Lifetime Achievement Award[28] from the Milken Institute and was named a Colorado State Patrol honorary colonel.[29] He was also named the "7th Most Powerful Person" in Denver by the magazine 5280.[30]

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

2014: Named the "15th Most Powerful Person" in Denver by the magazine 5280.[31]

2016: Inducted into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame by Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.[32] A video of the presentation can be viewed on the Junior Achievement YouTube channel.[33]

Senator Udall is quoted as saying:

"There are very few leaders who have brought our community together since September 11, 2001, like Larry has. Larry has rallied Coloradans together literally to remember the heroes and victims of 9/11 and to rise up against the evils of terrorism. It is what he does best: He assembles diverse groups of people, finds their commonality, and marshals them toward a noble purpose. Larry cares greatly about the security of the United States, as well as our allies worldwide. And he will stop at nothing to try to create a world where people do not live under the constant threat of attack, whether by persecutors, terrorists, or other enemies."

Mizel and his wife, Carol Mizel, have an adult son, a daughter and six grandchildren.