A software company that began as a practical solution to one local landlord’s growing workload has evolved into one of Southern Oregon’s most successful homegrown technology businesses, and its founder is once again receiving national recognition for that achievement.
Nathan Miller, founder and president of Rentec Direct, has been awarded a Gold Stevie Award for Best Entrepreneur as part of the 2026 American Business Awards. The recognition marks Miller’s sixth Gold Stevie Award and his ninth year receiving honors through the national business competition, which recognizes entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership and business excellence across the United States.
For many residents of Southern Oregon, Rentec Direct may be a familiar name. Headquartered in downtown Grants Pass, the company has quietly grown into a nationally recognized property management software platform serving more than 400,000 active users across the country. The company now generates more than $15 million annually while remaining independently owned and operated from Josephine County.
The story behind that growth traces back nearly two decades.
In 2007, Miller was managing rental properties and looking for a more efficient way to organize his business. Drawing on coding skills he taught himself, he developed the first version of what would eventually become Rentec Direct. What started as an after-hours project gradually expanded into a full-scale software company serving property managers, landlords and real estate professionals nationwide.
Unlike many technology startups that rely heavily on venture capital funding or outside investors, Rentec Direct followed a different path. The company has remained independently owned, debt-free and organically grown throughout its history. Today, the business employs nearly 20 people and continues to operate from its Grants Pass headquarters.
National judges evaluating this year’s award cited both the company’s growth and Miller’s long-term approach to entrepreneurship.
One member of the judging panel described the company’s rise as a remarkable example of sustained success, noting that what began as a personal coding project developed into an industry-leading platform without outside investment or debt. The judge also highlighted the company’s workplace culture, community involvement and Miller’s role as a business leader in Oregon.
While many successful technology firms eventually relocate to larger metropolitan areas, Miller says keeping the company rooted in Southern Oregon has always been intentional.
“I made an intentional decision to build Rentec Direct in Southern Oregon,” Miller said. “We keep the company headquartered in Grants Pass, hire locally and support regional vendors because we believe strong companies can be built anywhere, not just major metro tech hubs.”
He added that remaining in Grants Pass has influenced the company’s identity and growth strategy.
“That decision has shaped how we operate, allowed us to grow sustainably and kept us closely connected to the community that my family, my team and I call home,” Miller said.
The company’s presence extends beyond software development and business growth. Rentec Direct has become an active contributor to local causes and organizations throughout Southern Oregon. The company provides annual scholarships for Oregon students pursuing technology-related education and supports more than 20 community organizations, events and nonprofit initiatives through donations, sponsorships and fundraising efforts.
Miller himself remains heavily involved in community service. He serves on the local Chamber of Commerce Board and the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission, leads his Neighborhood Watch organization as president and participates in the Rogue Leadership Training program. In addition to his technology business, he continues to work as a landlord and has been involved in developing workforce housing projects throughout the region.
The recognition arrives at a time when Southern Oregon continues seeking ways to diversify its economy beyond traditional industries. Rentec Direct’s success offers a notable example of a technology company that has achieved national reach while maintaining deep local roots.
For Grants Pass residents, the award represents more than a personal achievement for one entrepreneur. It highlights how a business created in a small Southern Oregon community can compete on a national stage while remaining committed to local employment, community involvement and long-term economic investment.
As technology companies increasingly cluster in major urban centers, Rentec Direct’s story stands as evidence that innovation, growth and national success can emerge from places far beyond Silicon Valley. From a self-taught coding project to a platform serving hundreds of thousands of users nationwide, the company’s journey continues to place Grants Pass on the map as an unexpected but growing center of entrepreneurial success.