From Border States to State House … Tammy Miller

Many in the electrical distribution industry will remember Tammy Miller, a Border States leader. Upon retiring from the ESOP, Tammy took her skills to serving the people of North Dakota, first as the COO of the state and now as its Lieutenant Governor.

Karthik Chidambaram, founder and CEO of DCKAP, a technology company that helps distributors in their digitalization efforts and connects disparate systems, recently interviewed Tammy for their Driven podcast.

DCKAP shared an overview of the podcast with ElectricalTrends.

“In the ever-evolving landscape of the electrical industry and beyond, few stories resonate with the inspiration of Tammy Miller’s ascent from CEO to Lieutenant Governor—and potentially, to even greater heights.

Tammy Miller, who many of us know as a groundbreaking leader in electrical distribution, led Border States to unprecedented growth while also redefining what it means to be a leader in a traditionally male-dominated field. Under her leadership, Border States surged from revenues of under $500 million to over $2.5 billion, a testament to her innovative approach to employee ownership and customer-centricity. Yet, Miller’s ambitions extended beyond the corporate realm, steering her path toward the statehouse, and now, rumors hint at a gubernatorial run.

It’s great to learn more about what sets Miller apart: her profound insights into the intricacies of leadership, resilience, and strategic foresight. Her tenure is marked by accolades and achievements, notably as the first female leader of the National Association of Electrical Distributors and recipient of the NAED Women in Industry Trailblazer Award. But beyond the awards and titles, Miller’s narrative is a beacon of inspiration for women in leadership, demonstrating that the glass ceiling can be transcended.

As Miller shares her journey on the Driven by DCKAP podcast, we learn not only about her background and career highlights, but also practical lessons on succession planning, productivity, and the art of turning visions into reality. Miller’s mantra of being “Approachable, curious, and humble” is guiding principle for personal growth and can electrify each of our careers.

Key Insights from Lt. Governor Tammy Miller on DCKAP’s Driven Podcast:

• Succession Planning: Miller highlights the importance of succession planning in business and government, ensuring continuity and stability.
• Getting Things Done: She emphasizes the necessity of turning ideas into action through effective communication, accountability, and resource allocation.
• Productivity Principles: Miller advocates for disciplined time management and prioritizing health, along with the power of saying ‘no’ to maintain focus.

Miller’s approach to leadership and life is rooted in humility, curiosity, and a commitment to public service. Her story is an empowering narrative for aspiring leaders across all sectors.

“We can all do more to accomplish our purpose and make a difference if we are approachable, curious, and remain humble,” said Miller.

Thank you to DCKAP for bringing Tammy’s insights to us.

I encourage you to listen to the podcast and explore of how Tammy Miller’s leadership lessons can illuminate paths for innovation, growth, and transformative change in electrical distribution and the broader landscape of business and politics.

Tammy’s “career voltage” is far from peaking as there are rumors of seeking the governorship of North Dakota. Who knows, perhaps she’ll lead “all states” and the electrical distribution will have an advocate in a white house.

And if you are not familiar with DCKAP, your IT department should get to know them as they can help streamline ERP, CRM, eCommerce, and any Data integration efforts