ENERGY.

The shift from fossil fuels to greener solutions, such as wind and solar, continues in North Carolina. The goal: carbon neutrality by 2050, Duke Energy, one of the largest U.S. electric utilities, is a key force in many industry affairs.

JOEBRANNAN

executive vice president, CEO | North Carolina's Electric Cooperatives

Raleigh

The Lehigh University and Pennsylvania State University graduate became CEO in 2012 after working as chief operating officer for six years. The coops provide energy to 2.5 million people in 93 N.C. counties.

Key to industry success: Having a passion for what you do is most important in work and life. Always remain grounded, focused and committed to something that will allow you to contribute to society and your workplace.

Best advice: People have a tremendous desire to do things better and that drives change. You're always going to be surprised. The key is to be ready.

Three people to share a meal: Jesus, Albert Einstein and Paul McCartney.

Proud family accomplishment: I've been blessed with how much I've been able to be involved with both of my sons and spend time with them. They've grown into tremendous young men.

BEN CATT

CEO | Pine Cate Renewables

Asheville

The Indiana University graduate has been CEO since 2017. The business has been involved in more than $3.7 billion of project financing and manages more than 1 gigawatt of renewable assets. Pine Cate ranked 37th on the Inc. 5000 list in 2021.

DIONNE DELLI-GATTI

clean energy director | N.C. Department of Environmental Quality

Raleigh

Republican legislators voted down Gov. Roy Cooper's nominee to serve as secretary of environmental quality, so he instead named her to another post. She helped negotiate bipartisan energy legislation signed into law last year. Before joining DEQ, Delli-Gatti worked at the Environmental Defense Fund and for EPA in Atlanta. The Air Force veteran has a master's degree in environmental science from the University of North Texas.

Pre-workday motivation: Looking at my son and knowing the work I do every day is in service of ensuring that he and all of our children have the opportunity for a safe, healthy environment and a thriving economy.

Key to industry success: Establish intentional goals and an approach to deliver desired outcomes that are informed by diverse perspectives. This is only possible with a foundation of sustained investment in meaningful relationships built on sincere and honest communication.

Best advice: Know your value and remember that it doesn't decrease based on someone else's inability to see your worth.

Three people to share a meal: DOE Secretary Jennifer Granholm, National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman and Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert.

Proud family accomplishment: I'm proud that we live in gratitude and do our best to contribute to our community in meaningful ways on issues we are passionate about including health, fitness, poverty, sustainability, adoption, addiction and equity.

Favorite hobby: Watching my son play hockey and hiking.

Where to entertain a visitor: The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences. Umstead Park, and Cucciolo Osteria in Durham.

STEPHEN DE MAY

state president | Duke Energy, North Carolina operations

Raleigh

He's been the utility's top executive...