The United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) is pleased to announce the appointment of A.J. Miller, Deputy Chief and Public Information Officer for Volusia County Beach Safety, as the association’s new Public Information Officer.
Miller succeeds USLA President Tom Gill, who served as the association’s Public Information Officer for twenty-two years before assuming the presidency in January. Miller will serve as the primary media representative for USLA answering media inquiries or referring them to regional USLA representatives around the nation.
Miller brings 25 years of professional lifesaving experience to the position. He began as a Volusia County Junior Lifeguard at age 14 and joined Volusia County Beach Safety as a professional lifeguard at 16 in 2001. He progressed through the agency’s ranks starting as a tower lifeguard and is now the Administrative Deputy Chief which includes the role of Public Information Officer for one of USLA’s largest certified agencies.
President Gill praised Miller’s willingness to serve, “I am truly grateful to A.J. for taking on this important role for the USLA. His enthusiasm, knowledge, and passion for open water safety makes him an excellent resource and spokesperson for the organization.”
As USLA Public Information Officer, Miller plans to support efforts to increase recognition of open water lifeguards as first responders and develop a nationwide network of regional and agency public information officers to strengthen collaboration and communication throughout the lifesaving community.
“Open water lifeguards are an integral part of the emergency response system, truly being the first responders to life-threatening aquatic emergencies,” Miller said.
Miller has served in multiple USLA roles including Secretary and Sport Chair of the USLA Southeast Region, Secretary of the Florida Beach Patrol Chiefs Association and advisor for the Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association. A longtime lifesaving sport competitor, Miller has competed since 2002 and earned the Southeast Region’s top male points in 2015, 2017 and 2025.
Miller holds an associate degree in Criminal Justice and has completed FBI-LEEDA leadership training and Master Public Information Officer training. He and his high school sweetheart have been together since 2001 and have two children, both of whom look forward to becoming Volusia County lifeguards.