Stephen E Heiman has worked in sales development for over 30 years. In the 1970s, as an IBM national account salesman, he increased sales by over 35 per cent and was in the top 5 per cent for total sales and percentage quota. He continued his success at Kepner-Tregoe as Director of Marketing and at North American Van Lines where, in four years as executive vice president, he increased sales and profits by 36 per cent.

In 1978 Stephen E Heiman joined partner Robert B Miller in the company that became Miller Heiman, Inc. Heiman retired in 1988 as MHI president and CEO; he then served as the company's chairman of the board.