Duke Energy Names Heigel South Carolina President

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) has named Catherine Heigel to the newly created position of president of its South Carolina service region.

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In this capacity, she will be responsible for advancing the company's rate and regulatory initiatives and managing state and local regulatory and governmental relations, economic development and community affairs.  

"These are unprecedented times in our industry. As we work with our customers, regulators and policymakers to shape our energy future, we need to sharpen our focus on the unique needs, interests and concerns of Duke Energy's different states," said James L. Turner, president and chief operating officer of Duke Energy's Franchised Electric & Gas businesses. "Creating dedicated leadership roles for South Carolina and North Carolina recognizes the significant investments Duke Energy has in both states, as well as the commitment we have made to the customers and communities we serve."

In South Carolina, Duke Energy serves more than 600,000 retail customers and operates $3 billion in assets in the state, including more than 6,818 megawatts of power generation and distribution facilities. In addition, the company employs approximately 3,600 people who live and work in the Upstate region.

"Catherine brings an impressive blend of experience to this new position," said James E. Rogers, Duke Energy's chairman, president and chief executive officer. "She will draw on her regulatory and legal experience to be the primary representative of our company to South Carolina regulators, legislators, customers and other stakeholders."

Heigel began her legal career nearly 15 years ago in Columbia, S. C., as a consumer advocate in utility and insurance matters. She joined Duke Energy in 1997, and with the exception of several years in private law practice from 2003 to 2006, her legal practice has been centered on commercial and regulatory utility issues. Most recently, she served as special advisor to Duke Energy's chairman.

A Darlington, S. C. native, Heigel earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in International Studies from the University of South Carolina in 1992 and a Juris Doctor degree from Ohio State University in 1995. She and her family will relocate to South Carolina in the weeks ahead.

With this restructuring, Brett Carter, president of Duke Energy Carolinas, will become the company's North Carolina president. Heigel and Carter will report to Turner.

Duke Energy Carolinas owns nuclear, coal-fired, natural gas and hydroelectric generation. That diverse fuel mix provides approximately 19,000 megawatts of electricity capacity to approximately 2.4 million customers in a 22,000-square-mile service area of North Carolina and South Carolina.

Duke Energy is one of the largest electric power holding companies in the United States. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 4 million customers located in five states in the Southeast and Midwest, representing a population of approximately 11 million people. Its commercial power and international business segments own and operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: www.duke-energy.com.

    
    
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SOURCE Duke Energy