Take a trip around Martha’s Vineyard, and you’re sure to spot the iconic big green trucks with the fish logo –hallmarks of Millers Professionals, a family-run business serving the Island in countless ways. Whether it’s a roofing crew, a lawn care team, gardeners tending pristine landscapes, pool service workers or construction framers, Chris Miller’s team is everywhere, tackling it all with precision and care.

After a stint in Boston, Ubaldo Christian Miller arrived alone on Martha’s Vineyard at just seventeen years old. With the support of friends and a keen eye for opportunity, he began working on a landscaping team where his talents and strong work ethic quickly stood out. His personal and professional journey is deeply rooted in his faith, family and the profound gratitude for the life he’s built on the Vineyard.

Q. You first worked in restaurants in Boston before your move to the Island. How did you make the leap to landscaping and construction here?

A. I was raised in Brazil in an environment where construction was a big thing. My whole family was involved in construction – my father, my grandfather and my three older brothers. We owned a construction business and everybody worked there. And we owned a farm. So that was in me. When I left the restaurant world and I started doing landscaping, the first day – when I was doing some planting – I was like, oh, this is it, I feel at home here.

Q. How did the move to construction happen?

A. Landscape companies lay people off in the winter, so I went to work in the construction world doing framing, which is another thing that I felt so comfortable with. In Brazil we did everything by hand. When we built a wall it was with hand nails – and now I had a nail gun. For me, it was all about learning to use the new tools. That was the change I had to adapt to.

Q. Clearly you were a quick study!

A. I was, because of the environment and my parents back home. When I got into landscaping I felt great. Then I jumped into construction, and after six months I was running a team for Steve Doyle and Kirby Doyle. I connected with them that first winter when I was first laid off from landscaping. I stayed there for three or four more years and in 2005 they approached me to be their partner. They said, "Chris, we love you, you’re a smart kid, you’ve got so much potential."

Q. They gave you your big break!

A. They gave me the option to either pay my salary with 25 per cent of the profits or start my own company. I went home, thought about it, and the next day I went back to Steve and I started my DBA (Doing Business As) UCM: Ubaldo Christian Miller. Nobody could pronounce Ubaldo; everyone asked me if they could call me Chris. Chris Miller – it picked up just like that.

Q. When did your fish logo come in?

A. My wife Lauriete came up with the idea. We drew a fish and then we saw the Christian logo of a fish and we thought that’s great – we’re Christian and we live on Martha’s Vineyard. We put little waves and our name on it. That became our brand and things started happening so fast. We had kids coming and work was picking up. We had all these things going on and also got really involved in our church.

Q. Your early clients saw something not just in your work, but they also saw something in you.

A. That’s why our business just kept growing because everywhere we went, we had the mentality of serving with the best heart. And then the business just expanded so fast!

Q. Does that mission of “heart” continue today?

A. It is true today, and also with the employees as well as the people who have been with us since we started. I still have my first client from 2001 and my second client who challenges us all the time. If he calls the office and it takes two hours to get back, he reminds us that he is Chris’s second client!

Q. A familiar refrain on the Island is about the cost of landscaping services. What is your response when your clients complain about the cost?

A. People ask why it costs $100 to mow their lawn. There’s a lot behind it. People don’t see it. The guy mowing the lawn has a family and kids and a mortgage and a normal lifestyle. If he moves to Boston we won’t have him next year. There’s added value in that. We need to keep these people here to mow your lawn, clean your pool, repair your roofing, fix your HVAC in the middle of the summer. We can’t just rotate everyone out.

Q. Let’s talk about this past summer. Some people thought it was beautiful, others thought it was too wet or too dry. What’s your professional view?

A. I never complain about anything. As a child, I was taught not to complain. My mentality is that life is great, so my answer to the question is simple: It was a great summer, and it’s going to be a great winter. If you live on the Island, you don’t have to be smart to figure out this is such a special, unique place. I love the Island. I’m so grateful to be here. Everyone I interact with here is a blessing. That’s why we work so hard to be a part of the community.

Q. Thanks, Chris. I think we all need that reminder of just how special this place truly is. Now, shifting gears, let’s dive into our seasonal fall cleanup plans!

A. It’s very important for people to understand that when the leaves fall you need to take them out as fast as you can! If the leaves sit on the grass for too long, it kills the grass. Clean them up with whatever you have, and if you don’t have the money or the time to do it the right way, at least push them to the side of the grass. That’s a great thing.

Q. Is there another tip during these October days?

A. Be sure to clean the gutters. That’s one thing people always forget to do. I see it more and more. People don’t realize that the leaves fall and clog the gutters, potentially causing damage to your house.

Q. What trends should we be aware of in construction? Are clients asking for certain things they didn’t ask for before?

A. Now it’s all about energy. The energy codes are a new change to the Island. The windows, doors and insulation are more efficient. It’s a great thing for the homes. It’s changing and it’s changing fast. It’s code-driven.

Q. How does that affect seasonal homes on Martha’s Vineyard?

A. The old mentality is turning the heat down and the water off in the winter. With the new houses, you set the thermostat, and the houses are so tight that once the system is set it doesn’t change much. And now we have an app that controls everything for you, so it’s the next best thing to being there. It’s like you’re on location! Thanks to technology, there’s less chance of damage to the home in the winter.

Q. Let’s talk about the state of pools on the Island. I read that there’s a waiting list for pools.

A. There are just not enough pool people to build all the pools people want. It’s been crazy on this Island since Covid. It’s a priority on peoples’ lists nowadays, and it just makes sense. I have three kids – 19, 16 and 13 – and it’s a place where they hang out. It’s bringing families back together. And if you are renting in the summer, you can raise your rent and pretty much pay for the pool in the first season in most cases.

Q. Your business keeps you busy, but so does your church. Tell me about the mission of your church and how you serve the Brazilian community?

A. We go to the New Lagoinha Church. It means “the river.” A lot of immigrants are coming here, and we are trying to introduce them to the environment of the Cape and Islands and help them find jobs, homes, get these kids to school and introduce them to the new living style here.

Q. What do we need to know about this immigrant community and their challenges?

A. The great thing about the Brazilian community is that, in most cases, all are hard workers, good people. I know the country they are coming from and the intention of the people. Most of these people come here struggling financially and looking for opportunity. They’re here for good reason. Having these Brazilian and Jamaicans working so hard – it makes a huge difference in our business. They’re willing to work the extra hours, work late, whatever it takes to get it done to help us serve the tourists and the Island.

Q. In addition to all the community work you do on the Island you also make a difference further afield through your foundation.

A. We established Millers Foundation. I’m proud of the great work the foundation does around the world pro-viding water and food in places where people have no water to drink near where they live. We have drilled about nine wells in parts of Africa and Brazil. We hope to put in 200 more in the next five years. I’ve learned that the best way to serve God is to serve people.

 

Sissy Biggers is a regular contributor to The Vine and a frequent contributor to Martha’s Vineyard magazine.