Delceno C. Miles, the 73rd First Citizen of Virginia Beach, has spent her life lifting others with grace, vision, and a servant’s heart. From founding The Miles Agency — a thriving PR firm — to mentoring countless young professionals and empowering underrepresented voices, her leadership has touched businesses, civic boards, and lives throughout Hampton Roads. She has broken barriers on the Virginia Beach School Board, City Council, and statewide boards while staying rooted in service, philanthropy, and her belief that “education changes everything.” Through the Miles Family Foundation and her quiet generosity, she has funded scholarships, supported youth programs, and modeled how to lead with love and inclusion — earning her some of the region’s most prestigious honors. Delceno’s story is one of courage, purpose, and building a legacy that inspires us all to dream bigger and give more.

W. Taylor Franklin of Virginia Beach is a visionary entrepreneur, civic leader, and philanthropist whose extraordinary impact on regional business and community life has earned him the prestigious Rise Award. As CEO of the Franklin Group, he oversees a $3 billion real estate portfolio, creating thousands of homes and jobs while advancing inclusive, sustainable development across Virginia and beyond. Franklin’s leadership extends far beyond business — he chairs the Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic Foundation, Norfolk Collegiate’s board, and serves on multiple civic and educational boards, blending strategic insight with generosity. Named the youngest-ever King Neptune of the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, Franklin has become a beloved ambassador of the city, embodying its spirit and championing its growth. With his unwavering commitment to philanthropy, education, and economic progress, Franklin exemplifies a new generation of leaders who inspire others to dream bigger, give more, and build a thriving, inclusive community.

​William “Billy” Almond of Virginia Beach has been chosen as the 2025 recipient of the CREED Award from the Virginia Beach Jaycees, honoring his lifelong commitment to faith, brotherhood, justice, and service to humanity. A devoted civic leader and landscape architect, Billy has spent over four decades improving his city through public service on City Council-appointed commissions, including the Resort Advisory Commission, the Process Improvement Steering Committee, and the Old Beach Design Review Committee, where he guided projects that enhanced Virginia Beach’s accessibility, sustainability, and livability. As president of the North Virginia Beach Civic League and board member for the Hampton Roads Soccer Complex and the Green Schools National Network, he has strengthened neighborhoods, mentored youth, and championed environmental stewardship in schools. Known for bringing people together and advocating for fair, transparent development, Billy exemplifies servant leadership and a deep love for his community. Through his tireless volunteerism, ethical guidance, and heartfelt generosity, he has left Virginia Beach greener, more inclusive, and stronger — embodying the true spirit of the Jaycees’ creed and inspiring others to build a better future.