ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. - Duke Energy has named David Townsend vice president of Community Relations and Economic Development in Florida, effective July 13, 2015.
Townsend will be responsible for building relationships with external stakeholders in local communities served by Duke Energy as well as ensuring the continued economic development and growth of communities within Duke Energys service territory.
"David is a vital addition to our team," said Alex Glenn, Duke Energy Florida state president. "His extensive experience and track record leading external relations will enhance the work we do each day to meet the changing needs of our customers and communities."
Townsend most recently led a Tampa-based consulting firm providing specialized communications services to select industrial, real estate development and public policy clients. Prior to launching his consulting practice, he served as assistant vice president of Public Affairs in Florida for The Mosaic Company, the world's leading producer and marketer of concentrated phosphate and potash. During his nine-year tenure with Mosaic, he led the company's community relations, advertising and public relations. Programs he initiated and led helped transform the reputation of the Florida phosphate industry and establish the Mosaic brand.
In his previous corporate role, Townsend served as vice president of Corporate Communications for Liquidmetal Technologies, a global materials technology and manufacturing company, where he helped guide the company's post-IPO development. Before that, he held a variety of executive positions with Walter Industries, Inc. and its predecessor, Jim Walter Corporation, a Tampa-based diversified industrial company, leading corporate communications, media relations, employee communications, investor relations, crisis management and corporate event planning.
Townsend earned a BA in English and journalism from the University of Delaware. He has held numerous civic leadership roles in Florida for organizations including the Tampa Bay History Center, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and as a member of Leadership Florida.
Duke Energy Florida
Duke Energy Florida owns coal-fired and natural gas generation. That diverse fuel mix provides about 9,000 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 1.7 million customers in a 20,000-square-mile service area.
Duke Energy is the largest electric power holding company in the United States with approximately $115 billion in total assets. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 7.2 million electric customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest. Its commercial power and international energy 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.
Regionally headquartered in St. Petersburg, Fla., Duke Energy is a Fortune 250 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at: www.duke-energy.com/Florida.