Press Release From The Candidate
Lake Wales native and local businesswoman Terri Awesome Miller has announced plans to seek election to Seat 5 on the Lake Wales City Commission. The current officeholder, Robin Gibson, is not seeking re-election.
One of four children and a fifth generation Floridian, Miller was born at Lake Wales Hospital and graduated from Lake Wales High School. Her dad was a local pharmacist and her mom drove a school bus. Her brother, Jerry, who died in 2020, worked for the local power company as a well-known community liaison and active volunteer in five counties.
“I have been active in community service and connecting people my entire adult life,” Miller said. “Service is in my DNA. My brother Jerry inspired me to always do more and give more.”
Miller, 58, spent 20 years as a network security administrator at Florida’s Natural Growers before starting her own businesses. She partnered in a vintage resale store and art gallery co-op and developed a consulting and coaching business, Awesome Solutions LLC. She specializes in estate work, helping individuals and families downsize and clear out what’s left behind. Her consulting business also offers digital marketing and special event management.
“I love Lake Wales, and want to see it prosper, but we must manage growth to preserve our small town charm and quality of life. Many people are voicing concerns about how fast we are growing and whether we have the resources to support that expansion,” Miller said.
Miller said her campaign focus will be on “finding solutions together,” connecting people to find common ground to improve things, not just complain. She wants to bridge the still evident racial divide in Lake Wales by promoting cohesion, listening, healing and peace.
Peace and conflict resolution is something she’s especially focused on since attending a Rotary International Peace Conference last year in Istanbul. As chief of staff to the 2024-25 Rotary District 6890 governor, Miller actively promoted throughout a four-county area the planting of peace poles to start community conversations and bring people together. She is on the board of the nonprofit Orchestrating Peace, which promotes harmony and peace through music.
During her more than 20 years as a Rotarian, Miller has volunteered for boys and girls camps, water safety for children, disaster relief and many community events.
She served as president of the Lake Wales Breakfast Rotary and as co-founder and past president of Rotary on the Ridge.
As a soccer mom Miller served on the city’s recreation board and also coached an all star youth basketball team. Her multi-sport athlete and Army veteran daughter, Erika, now co-owns a land surveying company in Tampa with her husband.
Miller has been an active volunteer and ambassador for the local chamber of commerce and is a graduate of Leadership Lake Wales Class 9. She also serves on the board of directors for Rotary’s Camp Florida in Brandon.
Qualifying to run for city commission ends Feb. 20, and the election is April 7.
Miller is currently gathering petition signatures to secure a place on the ballot, recruiting volunteers and raising funds for a robust campaign. She also is attending various community events to engage with local citizens and listen to their ideas and concerns about the future of Lake Wales.
More information will be available on her campaign Facebook page, Terri Awesome Miller for Lake Wales, and she can be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting her at 863-513-7779.
