On Wednesday, November 13, the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance celebrated the achievements of outstanding young professionals at its annual Level Up Summit. This year, Katie Millner, Administration & Infrastructure Manager at Sonny Merryman, was honored with the prestigious LevelUp Award, recognizing the notable impact she’s made in her field as well as her invaluable contributions to the company.
Since the Level Up program launched in 2019, it has recognized 29 rising stars in the Lynchburg area who have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and a commitment to excellence. Designed to highlight young professionals who make a significant impact in their respective industries, the program has become a hallmark of the Alliance’s dedication to nurturing local talent.
Katie Millner joined Sonny Merryman over six years ago and has been a dedicated and invaluable team member, establishing herself as a key player in the company’s success and the high level of service provided to customers. In her role as Administration & Infrastructure Manager, created to support the company’s expanding business and leadership in the electric vehicle market, Katie has made tremendous strides in streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency. A recent example includes her leadership of a project that improved rental invoicing processes, resulting in a 25 percent time savings for her team. She is currently spearheading a major initiative to improve the sales coordination process, which is critical for delivering over 1,200 vehicles annually to Sonny Merryman’s customers.
Katie’s role has extended beyond administrative efficiency to overseeing the deployment and support of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure—a critical area as Virginia leads the nation in electric school bus deployment. Katie’s work supports over 45 EV charging depots across the state, playing a vital role in powering more than 230 electric buses that serve Virginia’s students. Her expertise and dedication help drive advancements in EV technology, benefiting both customers and the broader transportation industry.
Beyond her technical expertise, Katie’s leadership style and relationship-building skills have earned her respect among colleagues and customers alike. Her ability to blend strategic thinking with a customer-first mindset has been instrumental in her success.
Caley Edgerly, President & CEO of Sonny Merryman, expressed his congratulations: “We’re incredibly proud of Katie for receiving the LevelUp Award. Her Customer care and continuous improvement approach embody the values that drive Sonny Merryman, and her contributions have been instrumental. Recognizing young professionals like Katie is essential, as they represent the future of our company and industry. Katie’s achievement is well-deserved, and we’re excited to see all she will continue to accomplish.”
Her recognition as a LevelUp Award recipient is a testament to her hard work, vision, and dedication to both her company and community. Congratulations, Katie, on this well-deserved honor!