Detroit Volt Founder Deana Neely Leads Detroit’s Green Energy Sector –

Deana Neely, founding father of Detroit Voltage, has headed Detroit’s electrical services sector since she obtained her electrical license. Initially, fearing negative bias because of the homogeneous electrical service industry, Neely hid the undeniable fact that she was a black woman. Since participating in Google’s acceleration program, Neely has been showing off her side.

As reported, Neely’s business meets a critical need: the necessity for Blacks to enter the development industry. To that end, Elevate, a Chicago-based nonprofit, has appointed Neely to steer an accelerator program for clean energy contractors in Detroit. The Elevate program goals to create a mirrored image of the population by which they work, and Detroit is sort of 80% black.

Tim Skrotzki, associate director of partnerships at Elevate, said: “We are trying to build a network of contractors based in Detroit. We want these performers to look like they come from the community in which we work. Since Detroit is predominantly black (78%), we want performers to reflect that.”

Neely briefly talked in regards to the explosion of her company after founding Detroitvoltage in 2016 after 10 years with Detroit’s Department of Buildings, Safety and Environmental Engineering. “It took me months. But when I got my first contract, my phone literally didn’t stop ringing,” Neely said. “In my first six months in business, we generated over six figures in revenue (and) became the premier electrical contractor in the city.”

According to National Association of Black Women in Construction, Neely’s business grew; opened a branch of her company in Houston, and Forbes recognized her company as considered one of the Next 1000 in 2021. In his profile, Forbes indicated that Neely is within the strategy of launching a program that guides women through the strategy of starting a construction company, which he is popping right into a book. In March, Detroit Voltage signed a a six-figure contract with DTE Energywhich gave her company a city contract to put in electric vehicle charging stations in Detroit.

In 2023, she described the strategy behind it her company’s positioning reads: “As demand for sustainability grows, we have strategically positioned Detroit Volt as a leader in supporting renewable energy and electric vehicle infrastructure projects. This decision was not only consistent with our values, but also in line with the growing market trend. Our commitment to environmental responsibility has not only attracted like-minded customers, but also positioned us as an industry leader.”

Neely continued, “Throughout our journey, we now have encountered many necessary moments which have played a pivotal role in our development. These include establishing a strategic partnership with our local utility provider to put in electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, becoming a Google Small Business Partner, and attending a hearth chat with Google’s CEO on the Summit of the Americas – a highly regarded global event. “

Neely concluded, “I currently function a mentor within the Great Lakes Council of Women’s MentorWe program, where I actually have the respect of sharing my insights and methods for growing as a business owner with other women business owners. This role allows me to contribute to the event and success of entrepreneurs in this system. I’m also in the ultimate stages of writing a book that may teach women easy methods to start a construction business with none problems. This extraordinary journey reflects the resilience and determination obligatory to beat unexpected challenges and switch adversity into success.