On Tuesday, February 6, 2024, Jacksonville Mayor Donna Bowen recognized
Jacksonville resident and multi-organization volunteer, Sue Miler, as Jacksonville’s 2023 Person of
Year. Miler currently serves as the board president for the Jacksonville Community Center (JCC).
The award was presented at 6:00 p.m. at the Jacksonville City Council meeting at Jacksonville City Hall
on February 6.
“Sue Miler is being recognized for her work in developing our Jacksonville Community Center,” said
Bowen. “Sue recently completed a fund drive that raised more than $750,000 for JCC’s capital
campaign. Sue has continued to be active with the Community Center organization and currently
serves as Board President.”
“She has contributed hours of her expertise and time to further the development and success of the
Jacksonville Community Center,” said Mayor Bowen.
Julie Raefield, JCC executive director, believes that through Ms. Miler’s leadership, the Center has
grown to offer a variety of education classes, cultural activities, music, arts, recreation, and wellness
programs. “Ms. Miler has helped to enrich the Jacksonville community and has added to the
wonderful quality of life here,” said Raefield.
Sue Miler moved to Jacksonville in 2009 after serving for 20 years as a senior executive for the AARP
Foundation in Washington, DC, where she was responsible for leading community programs that
served nearly 2 million people per year throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Upon her
arrival in Southern Oregon, Miler used her knowledge and experience with older adults to volunteer
for the Senior and Disability Services Program of the Rogue Valley Council of Government. Currently,
she also volunteers with the Jacksonville Garden Club, the Jacksonville Boosters Club, and the
Southern Oregon Center for Community Partnerships.
In 2018, Miler spearheaded the capital campaign to raise more than $750,000 to expand and
renovate the JCC, a project that local residents had been working to complete for more than 20 years.
In 2019 the Center held its grand opening. In 2020, Miler was elected as JCC’s board president and
has led the nonprofit board since then.
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