Linnea Miller, Suwanee City Councilwoman and owner of Longtable, is someone who lights up a room with her sweet personality, big smile, and positive energy. She loves her community and here’s why:
What inspired you or led you to your current career?
The work that I do professionally is focused on developing impactful leaders who are equipped to create a healthy workplace culture and high-performing teams. The work I do publicly is focused on developing a healthy community where people can thrive. What inspires me is a question that I’ve asked my children since they were young: “What breaks your heart and how are you uniquely equipped to be a part of healing that brokenness?” The answers from my children have evolved as they’ve grown and changed. My answer has largely stayed the same, my toolbox has just evolved. I believe each person comes hardwired with a contribution, unique to them, that this world needs. It breaks my heart when a person or groups of people are undervalued, underrepresented or worse, they’ve lost sense of their own value. Our workplaces need their employees and leaders to be engaged, to bring their contribution and to add value. Our communities need that even more from our citizens. It doesn’t happen on accident, so we have to create environments that foster a spirit of dignity, collaboration and authentic connection. My work is about this mission. I am blessed to be able to do what I love.
What is your favorite restaurant in Suwanee?
I can’t pick just one favorite. I spend a lot of time at Cafe Amico for business meetings. I love a good post-workout smoothie from Planet Smoothie. SipHappens is a great night out with the girlfriends. My family loves Beto’s Tacos, and I like sushi from Sushi Nami. StillFire Brewing is our new favorite hangout, where we can bring food from all of our favorite Suwanee restaurants!
How long have you worked or lived in Suwanee?
22 years. We moved to Ruby Forest in 1998, and we’ve lived in the same home ever since. We love our neighborhood!
What has kept you here?
We’ve grown up with this community. I like to say that Suwanee raised us. When we moved here, our children were babies and now, all these years later, my oldest has his very own baby! The community has grown and matured at around the same pace as my family. We are deeply invested and connected to Suwanee. It’s the most lovable city in the world!
How big is your family?
My husband, Eric, and I just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. We have four children and have recently added our daughter-in-law and baby grandson. You’ll often see us with our dog, Rosie. She loves all of our parks!
Who is the most interesting person you’ve met in Suwanee?
I would say Mayor Jimmy Burnette. He has so many stories about Suwanee’s past, and if you’re lucky enough to get Jimmy and Wayne Hill in a room together, you’ll get an earful. It’s hard to tell where history and folklore intersect in that situation, though. It’s a good time, that’s for sure!
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I just had a dream trip to visit the city where my mom was born in the Netherlands. It was beautiful! Next, I’d love to travel to Indonesia. My grandfather was born there and I’d like to experience that environment and culture.
What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
Annie
What advice would you give a crowd of people?
Don’t ask what the world needs, ask what makes you come alive and go do it because what the world needs is people who have come alive. Also, do love, bravely.
What is something on your bucket list?
I would love to travel abroad with my family. It would be a dream to experience different cultures and countries with my people.
Would you rather speak to a crowd of 500 or sing to a crowd of 50?
I do love to sing but I am comfortable speaking to a large crowd. I prefer panel or discussion-style speaking.
If you could take anyone to lunch (dead or alive) who would that be and where would you go?
I think I would spend more time with my Opa (grandfather). We would eat at the restaurant he started after WW2 in Nijmegen, Netherlands.
What is your favorite music? Name three bands you would like to see.
I really enjoy a variety of music. A little pop, country and rock ’n’ roll. I like hip-hop and girl-power tunes when I exercise. I love jazz on the weekends and musical theatre is a definite fave.
What local business makes you the most nostalgic about Suwanee?
That’s a tough one because I love so many Suwanee businesses. I’d probably say Moore Road Chick-fil-A because we’ve been going there since my children were young, and Miss AJ has cared for my family, as she does for so many in our community. Also, two of my children worked there for years and have learned so much about hard work, customer service, hustle and high standards. I love to tell people that everyone should let your teens work at Chick-fil-A. They will help you raise great humans and your kids will learn to say “my pleasure” whenever they are asked to help. Chick-fil-A also provides jobs for people with developmental disabilities and they support many local charitable causes. Big fan!
What is your favorite thing about Suwanee?
Suwanee is Quality, Unique, Remarkable, and Visionary. We SURV our community well because we hold ourselves to those standards. We are uncompromising in our commitment to things like public safety and financial responsibilities, as well as addressing infrastructure and planning needs in our community so that we can continue to grow in a vibrant and sustainable way. We honor our past (the people and traditions that make us unique), while keeping a strong vision for a community where every person who lives, works and visits here knows that they belong. We are inclusive, innovative and fun!
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In Ruby Forest, with a few more grandkids! I’ll be taking them to play in our parks, to eat in our restaurants and to serve in our community (volunteering starts early in our family). I hope that my business will continue to serve an even broader reach to help build healthy professionals who will, in turn, create teams of high-performing, liberating leaders for their organizations and communities. I hope to use my platform as a public servant in Suwanee to continue to create a place where people are better connected to other people and to our place.
What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I graduated high school and got married in the same year, and it was the best decision I didn’t know how to make! 1994!
