Virgil miller
President, Aflac U.S. | Columbus, Georgia
Virgil Miller’s leadership journey began in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served during Operation Desert Storm, gaining firsthand experience in teamwork, resilience, and problem-solving. These skills would later define his corporate career and current position as president of Aflac U.S., overseeing the company’s nationwide operations and strategic growth.
Miller knew in the 11th grade he would enlist in the Marines. His father, an Army veteran, encouraged him to pursue military service to gain discipline and financial assistance for college. From a young age, Miller wanted to be a businessman, carrying a briefcase to school at age 12 to emulate his businessman uncle.
“I graduated number one in my basic training program, in part because I embraced the persona of a Marine — tough, rambunctious, courageous”, said Miller in a Medium interview. “This lesson has carried over to my professional career as well — I believe authenticity is important, and that you should be yourself at work, but you also need behave in a way that’s appropriate to your role (and the role you want to have).”
Following his military service, Miller earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Georgia College, a master’s in business management from Wesleyan College, and an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Gammon Theological Seminary.
He joined Aflac in 2004, starting in a call center before advancing through key leadership roles, including chief operating officer and president of Aflac Group & Individual Benefits, before being appointed president of Aflac U.S. in 2023.
Miller draws clear lines between what he learned in the Marine Corps and his professional success. In the same interview, Miller said, “My time as a Marine made me more patient, more confident, and, oddly, more competent as a business executive working my way up the ladder of a $22 billion corporation.”
Widely recognized for his contributions to the insurance industry, Miller received the Stevie Award for Executive of the Year and has been named to Columbia Business Monthly’s 50 Most Influential Hall of Fame. He serves on the board of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) and holds leadership positions with the American Council of Life Insurers, PlanSource, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
“I feel very fortunate to have my experience in the Marines as there were incredible lessons and learnings that I still use and apply to what I do every day,” said Miller.
jessica rambo
Founder, Painted Buffalo Traveling Studio | Atlanta, Georgia
Visual arts skills served Jessica Rambo well in the United States Marine Corps. She was able to continue developing her art education while serving in the Corps for more than nine years as a visual information specialist, graphics illustrator, and combat cameraman. During her service, Rambo documented military operations and often worked alongside dignitaries and senior military leadership.
Military life was familiar to Rambo. Her mother served six years in the U.S. Navy and another 14 in the Coast Guard. Of her Marine Corps service, Rambo said, “My military career has molded me in the most unexpected but positive ways.”
She is now a Marine Corps veteran, artist, and advocate dedicated to supporting fellow veterans through art therapy. Her time in the Corps shaped her leadership skills, creativity, and deep understanding of the challenges veterans face after service.
Following her transition from military to civilian life in 2016, Rambo pursued higher education in art at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she became an active advocate for veterans, serving as president of the UNCG Student Veterans Association and working at the university’s Veterans Center. Her experiences highlighted the healing potential of artistic expression, inspiring her to create a mobile platform to bring art therapy to veterans nationwide.
In 2018, Rambo founded the Painted Buffalo Traveling Studio, a nonprofit she operates from a school bus she converted that doubles as a home. Traveling across the country in the bus with her two children, a cat, and her service dog, Bella, she provides veterans with art supplies, workshops, and creative outlets as tools for self-expression and mental health recovery. One of her key charitable initiatives, the Paint Can Project, repurposes retired ammunition cans into portable art kits with supplies from donors, encouraging veterans to share their stories through artistic mediums.
Beyond her nonprofit, Rambo has worked in digital media and veteran outreach, managing social media for The Bus Fair and Bus Life Adventure, connecting with nomadic and veteran communities. Her work has been featured in various media outlets, highlighting the intersection of art, mental health, and veteran support.
Balancing her roles as a mother, artist, and advocate, Rambo continues to impact veterans nationwide, using creativity as a bridge to healing and community building.