This week’s Eagle Scout Spotlight is with Outstanding Eagle Scout Michael Miller. Michael grew up in Oregon, earning his Eagle with Troop 14 of the Crater Lake Council. A Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow, Michael served as the Section Chief for W-1A (State of Oregon). Over the years, he has volunteered in many scouting roles, including as Cubmaster and Scoutmaster for his now Eagle Scout son. Today Michael continues to serve the Golden Gate Area Council as a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
The rank of Eagle is a lifelong obligation, as we told people at the 85 Jamboree “Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle.”
Michael Miller
Are you a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award, NESA Distinguished Service Award, or Adams Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award, or a member of the NESA Legacy Society?
NESA Outstanding Eagle Award from the San Francisco Bay Area Council in 2015.
Are there other Scouting or Non-Scouting awards or recognitions you would like to mention?
Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow, elected to the post of OA Section Chief for W-1A (State of Oregon), Crater Lake Council District Achievement Award, OA Founder’s Award.
Tell us a little bit about you…
I live in foothills of Pleasanton, in a place called Sunol. I attended Southern Oregon State College (now University), majoring in Communications, then Criminology and graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management.
I am currently CEO and founder of EDU Interactive, an Internet Technology company advertising for top US Colleges and Universities (10 years old this month).
Scouting service has included ASM (Eagle advisor in Newark Troop 186 for 13 years prior to his son joining the troop), Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Aquatics Director at Camp McLoughlin (Oregon), Staff at multiple leadership training programs, OA National Planning Committee for the first OA Philmont Trek (1985), NESA staff at the 1985 National Jamboree at Fort AP Hill, VA.
I currently serve the GGAC as a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
My Son, Aaron Miller, earned the rank of Eagle in 2020 and is currently attending UND as a Commercial Aviation major.
Eagle Fact
The National Scout jamboree is a gathering, or jamboree, of thousands of members of the Boy Scouts of America, usually held every four years and organized by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Since 2013, jamborees are permanently held at The Summit: Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve.
When and where do you earn your Eagle Scout?
Like many of the young men I’ve mentored over the past couple decades, I slid into the finish line days before my 18th birthday, earning the Eagle Award on May 19, 1983 (DOB is 05/23) in Crater Lake Council, Medford Oregon Troop 14.
What did you do for your Eagle Project?
Build a community garden for the Garden Club, including a Wood Bench with cinder block legs (which is still there).
Did you have a favorite merit badge(s)? Did any merit badges(s) lead to a hobby or profession?
Small Boat Sailing, which started a lifelong love of sailing.
What does being an Eagle Scout mean to you? Does being recognized with the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award give change to that meaning, if yes, how so?
The rank of Eagle is a lifelong obligation, as we told people at the 85 Jamboree “Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle.” The award of NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award was a good reminder that I’m still in the right path.
Do you recall an experience or situation that being or becoming an Eagle Scout aided you in?
Throughout my life, I’ve heard the comment “OK Boy Scout” in response to something I say or do, often after I use knot tying skills to fix or prepare something.
What is the greatest personal asset you developed while earning your Eagle Scout or from being an Eagle in the greater community? How has this asset contributed towards personal fulfillment and success in your professional or personal life?
Earning Eagle showed ME that it does make a difference getting over the finish line. The journey is that much more fulfilling when one completes the goal. I learned to lead and how to focus on learning leadership skills to guide groups of people to accomplish a common goal.
Do you have any advice for your fellow Eagles, or for those working towards becoming an Eagle? Or is there common advice that you think should be ignored?
The journey is that much more fulfilling when one completes the goal.
If you could add a thirteenth point to the scout law, what would it be?
Hungry. (self evident)
