TAMPA – When Lesley ‘Les’ Miller, Jr. talks about community service, it isn’t just lip service. It is more than a calling. Miller believes that serving is the right thing and the best way he can help bring unity into the community.
Miller was named 2022 Gonzmart Family Tourism Ambassador of the Year on Thursday by Visit Tampa Bay.
“There are no better examples of an ambassador for our industry than Les Miller and we are delighted to honor him as Visit Tampa Bay’s Gonzmart Family Tourism Ambassador of the Year,” said President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay, Santiago C. Corrada, in a release. “Working with our sales team, Les has personally helped bring multiple citywide meetings to Tampa, including Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., United Bikerz Jamboree, and the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, which resulted in tens of thousands of hotel room nights and millions of dollars of economic impact to the community. Since leaving public office Les has continued to be an integral member of our board and is fully deserving of this accolade.”
Miller has served as a Florida State Representative and later as a state senator. He has served on the Tampa City Council and retired in November 2020 as a member of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.
But even in retirement, Miller continues to work for the betterment of the community.
“I’m officially retired but I love this city and county and things that need to happen, if I can help I will,” Miller said. “I may not be getting up at 5, maybe 9 but I can’t turn people away.
“I made it where I am because people helped me,” Miller said. “The way to give back is by helping the community. God gave you this space on earth to help others. I couldn’t do it by being rich so this is my way of getting it done.”
Whether serving on numerous boards or acting as Principal for Shumaker Advisors, the 71-year-old Tampa native continues to work with and for the public.
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