DAVID MILLER:
 
David Miller




 
 
 
 
 
President of Duo-Gard Industries Inc. in Canton. Duo-Gard designs and develops high-performance translucent daylighting systems and architectural illumination, as well as custom canopies, shelters, and outdoor structures. Miller has 24 years of experience in research and development, sales, marketing, management, engineering, and production for both shelter systems and daylighting. He is a consultant to architects, interior designers, transportation authorities, and others, working with all aspects of design and building envelope performance. Under Miller's leadership, the company's innovations include development of the world's first structure specifically designed as a smoking shelter. From there, the company expanded to the design and production of custom transit shelters and canopies, including solar photovoltaics canopy systems that enhance sustainability and maintain LEED compliance. The company's illumaWALLs, which are translucent polycarbonate panels and custom-programmable LEDs used in homes and commercial buildings, were named an outstanding architectural product by both Architectural Record and Buildings magazines. Duo-Gard's bike shelters were named a Cool Contender in GreenBuilder magazine's Top 50 Cool Products list. The company's latest invention, a net-zero electric-vehicle charging station, has a sealed solar panel canopy roof that captures the energy available at the station. Recently, the company was awarded its first contract to produce a two-car station in Florida. Miller is a sought-after speaker on environmental issues and green building innovations. He received his bachelor's degree in business administration from Eastern Michigan University.


WHERE BORN: “Colorado Springs, Colo.”

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS: “My dad. He founded our company and taught me a lot about green principles to minimize resources for maximum benefit. He was really influential in his approach in business and innovations we've created at Duo-Gard.”

LAST BOOK READ: “Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.”

WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: “Innovative, perseverance, and loyalty.”

WHERE MY FIELD/INDUSTRY IS HEADED: “The sustainable building industry is relatively new, although the fundamentals have been around and repackaged into the green market. There is a clamor for new technologies. Our industry is learning more about buildings and their design so that they maximize the human experience while minimizing the resources it takes to run them. We're headed to better modeling and better integration of technology innovation. Specific technology in our products helps improve the overall technology of the building itself. It's becoming more sophisticated. We're going to see a big change in the way buildings are being built in the next 20 years.”

FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL GADGET: “iPad.”

FAVORITE PLACE: “The wilderness. I'm a backpacker and have done a lot of adventure backpacking. It's a very spiritual connection when you get back in the wilderness.”

FAVORITE HOBBIES: “I've been into music for a long time - I write and play. I play guitar and sing.”

FAVORITE FOOD: “Italian.”

MY HIDDEN TALENT: “The music - I don't share that a lot.”

HOW I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED: “As someone who made a difference in bringing an enhanced sense of quality to people's lives - through our products, company, and people who are affected by our organization.”


Grant Thornton Website At the annual awards reception in April 2014, one Leader & Innovator from the previous 12 months will be selected as the Grant Thornton Leader & Innovator of the Year.