DELCENO C. MILES | President and CEO, The Miles Agency

Delceno C. Miles launched her communications and community engagement firm in 1989. These days, The Miles Agency continues to serve a diverse stable of clients from public agencies, municipalities, nonprofits and businesses, providing services like media outreach, stakeholder engagement, digital marketing and crisis communications.

“The majority of our clients are repeats or referrals,” Miles says. “We compete with large firms, and many times those same firms ask us to team with them to pursue opportunities.”

Miles attributes her success as a leader to a variety of factors. For one thing, she doesn’t micromanage.

“I trust my team,” Miles says. “I’m certainly available to provide guidance and resources for them to fulfill their duties, but I also provide them the space to do them in their own way or style.”
Outside of her work life, Miles has long been a force in the community. Her current efforts include serving as vice chair of the

Hampton Roads Chamber’s board and of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia’s council.

“I see what impact she has made on our Virginia Beach communities,” Miles’ nominator says. “She is well known and well respected by most of the people in Hampton Roads.”

In May, the Virginia Beach Jaycees named Miles the 2025 First Citizen of Virginia Beach, an award that recognizes city residents who have made outstanding contributions to the community.

Return to the full list of this year’s recipients