President, Aflac
Search every verified Virgil Miller interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Virgil Miller, President of Aflac U.S., spoke at the May 2025 unveiling of a statue honoring University of South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley. Miller described Aflac's partnership with Staley, including their joint work on "My Special Aflac Duck" deliveries to children's hospitals. He recounted a visit to UVA's Children's Hospital where Staley interacted with a young girl named Blakeley, and noted a subsequent delivery at Prisma Health Children's Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina. Miller stated that together they have "helped raise awareness for childhood cancer and blood disorders while supporting and elevating women's sports." In a September 2024 podcast interview, Miller discussed his leadership philosophy, drawing on his experience as a U.S. Marine and veteran of Operation Desert Storm, as well as his athletic background. He emphasized the importance of rallying teams around a common goal, becoming a customer of one's own process, and understanding the numbers of a business. Miller stated that the measure of a leader is based on the performance of their people and that he accepts full accountability for the success of Aflac U.S. He also noted that Aflac has given over $176 million to support children undergoing cancer treatment and other blood disorders.
“I had the privilege of witnessing that firsthand during our visit to UVA's Children's Hospital there in Charlottesville, Virginia. For her first time, we did a My Special AFLAC duck delivery. It's a compassionate duck designed to help children undergoing cancer treatment.”
“Coach Staley didn't just show up. She does it because she wants to and she does it because she believes in helping people and she's truly concerned about each and every child in every family.”
“There was one moment that I would never forget in particular. It was an interaction she had with a young girl named Blakeley. Together they made a necklace that Coach Staley still wears today.”
“That necklace symbolizes resilience. And what it says though on the bottom of these shirts that you see, created by the Player Society, it is really about knowing and keeping that dream alive and keeping it going.”
“Last summer, she made a second My Special AFLAC duck delivery right here in Columbia at Prisma Health Children's Hospital right here in Midlands. And today, I stand here on behalf of AFLAC to honor Coach Staley.”
“Together, we've helped raise awareness for childhood cancer and blood disorders while supporting and elevating women's sports in meaningful ways.”
“Coach, I thank you personally and on behalf of AFLAC for embodying greatness in all that you do. Your legacy and impact reach far beyond the court. AFLAC is honored to have you as a partner and I am personally grateful to have you as my friend.”
“Become a customer of your own process. How do you know if it works if you haven't done it yourself? Have you filed a claim yourself? Have you called the call center yourself? If you own that process, then you need to test it. Fundamentals, fundamentals. Make sure it works well by practicing and trying it.”
“A businessman first needs to understand the numbers. If you understand the numbers, count your own money, understand how you bring in revenue and revenue goes out, that is the core foundation of what you're going to need.”
“When I enter any new role or position, the first thing I do is meet with my next level leader to align expectations. We create a scorecard with tangible quantitative results so that everything is measurable and clear. I am actually writing my own performance appraisal based on agreed expectations.”
“The measure of any leader is based on the performance of his or her people. If my team fails, it's because of me. I accept full accountability. I am only measured as a leader based upon the success of my people.”
“I take accountability for the overall success of Aflac US. If individual departments succeed but the overall company fails to deliver shareholder value, then we fail as a company and it's on me.”
“We have given over $176 million to support children undergoing cancer treatment and other blood disorders along with sickle cell. I am proud of that and passionate about the impact we make in the community.”
“The pandemic has changed the way we work. There is no close of the workday anymore. I get business calls and emails on weekends and late at night. You have to set boundaries and recharge or you will burn out.”
“The best way for a team to work is to rally them around a common goal, a common cause, a common mantra. Whether in sports, military, or corporate America, having a larger rally cry brings everyone together to succeed.”
Ep. 177: Baseball, football, and fencing in college shaped this leader who has received 30 promotions during his decades-long ...
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