Staff Reports
Duke Energy is promoting Melissa Seixas to President of Duke Energy Florida, they announced Thursday.
Seixas, currently the company’s vice president of government and community relations, assumes her new role Feb. 16.
Seixas succeeds Catherine Stempien, who is leaving at the end of February for a position outside of the company.
In her new role. Seixas will lead Duke Energy’s work with customers, employees and policy makers too advance the company’s clean energy vision, expand electrification efforts and focus on philanthropic initiatives and community relations.
She will also be responsible for managing state and local regulatory and government relations throughout the state.
“Melissa’s many years of experience with the company have prepared her well for this important role,” said Doug Esamann, executive vice president of energy solutions and president of the midwest and Florida regions and natural gas business unit. “She is well-known throughout our Florida communities and will build on the great progress the team has already accomplished. She will continue to advocate for policies and practices that meet the energy needs of our customers to ensure we deliver the safe and reliable service they expect and deserve.”
In her current role, Seixas directed Duke’s Florida efforts to increase partnerships with local governments, civic organizations and the broader community.
Seixas as been with the company since 1986 when it was then Florida Power and remained as it transitioned to Progress Energy and then, later, Duke.
Over her 34-year career with the company, she has served in numerous roles with increasing leadership responsibilities.
Seixas holds a bachelor’s degree in American history from Eckerd College and a master’s degree in American history from the University of South Florida. Her executive training includes a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) certification from Johns Hopkins University, and programs with the Edison Electric Institute and Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.
Seixas has served on numerous boards including the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and the Pinellas County Urban League, and she served as immediate past chair of the board of directors for the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership. Seixas also served on the University of South Florida St. Pete’s advisory board and Board of Trustees and was recently named to the broader USF Board of Trustees. She was honored in 2019 with the USFSP Regional Chancellor Award for Civic Leadership.
“We’re excited to have Melissa as the new state president as our company continues its clean energy transformation journey, and we deeply appreciate Catherine’s leadership and contributions to our company. We wish her all the best,” Esamann said.
