Carla Walker-Miller

As founder, president and CEO of Walker-Miller Energy Services, LLC (WMES), Carla Walker-Miller is an analytical and savvy businesswoman with over 20 years of energy industry experience. Established in 2000, the Detroit-based firm transforms lives by implementing energy efficiency solutions for utility, residential and commercial clients.

The company offers innovative energy waste reduction services that help decrease energy consumption, and contribute to occupant safety and comfort. An engineer by degree, Ms. Walker-Miller led her business to double-digit growth after the recession, earning both local and national recognition as an innovative company.

Over the past two years, WMES received several accolades, and most recently honored by the Women President’s Organization (WPO) as one of the 50 Fastest Growing Women-owned business in America. Other recognitions include 2015 Best Small Business in Southeast Michigan by the Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the 2015 Michigan Small Business Administration (SBA) Woman-Owned Business of the Year, Inner City 100’s fastest growing companies in an inner city, Business of the Year by Michigan League Conservation Voters (MLCV) and Crain’s Detroit Business Cool Places to Work in Michigan– Rank #18. In addition, WMES has been featured in national publications such as FORTUNE, EBONY, JET, Black Enterprise and Crain’s Detroit magazines.

As a sought after speaker on issues relating to energy efficiency and sustainability, she is determined to bring underserved populations into the important energy dialogue. Her goal is to help communities make informed decisions regarding their own energy destinies. “Energy efficiency is foundational to our energy futures…” states Carla.

In keeping with this belief, WMES was recently awarded a 2-year contract to implement residential energy efficiency programs in DTE Energy’s Michigan service territory. As part of her strong commitment to the Detroit community, she started a nonprofit organization in 2003 called The Water Access Volunteer Effort (WAVE) Fund. WAVE provides water bill assistance to low- income Detroit citizens and has distributed over $2 million and helped over 9,200 families.

Carla currently serves as the organization’s Founder and Executive Director. In 2014, Carla was elected President for the Michigan Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE). She also serves on the Board of Directors for various organizations including the Detroit Regional Chamber, TechTown Detroit, University of Detroit Jesuit High School, the Invest Detroit First Step Fund Committee, Wayne State University Physicians Board and Invest Michigan’s Committee. Carla is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., InForum Michigan, the Michigan Minority Supplier Diversity Council (MMSDC), the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), the Women’s Informal Network (WIN), and the NAACP.

She is a former member of the Board of Water Commissioners for the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, and a 2014 graduate of Detroit’s Inaugural Cohort for Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program.

She and her family reside and work in the City of Detroit.