Morrisville

A Pennsylvania State University and Lehigh University graduate, Brannan, 57, was named the cooperative’s CEO in 2012. Its 26 members provide energy to 2.5 million people in 93 North Carolina counties.
Employer’s distinction: We have a unique partnership, helping people who have a vested interest in us.

Charlotte

Carlton, who holds an MBA from UNC Charlotte, was North America president for SGL Carbon for more than a decade before taking his post in 2017. The graphite-electrode manufacturer announced a $25 million investment in a Fulton, Ky., plant in January.

Asheville

An Indiana University graduate, Catt, 41, oversees the 200-employee solar company where he has closed more than $2 billion in financing. It was named to Inc.’s 2020 Best in Business list.
First job: Mowing lawns at age 10

Charlotte

Doctor was named CEO of the trade association, which fosters collaboration among Carolina energy companies, in 2014. The University of Detroit Mercy graduate had previously co-founded or led 16 startups, many in the energy sector. Their combined sales exceeded $12 billion.

Charlotte

Faison’s nonprofit reduces emissions from energy and industrial sectors through policy, research and innovation. The UNC Chapel Hill and University of Virginia Darden School of Business graduate was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2013 for his leadership of SnapAV, which he sold to pursue philanthropy.

Charlotte

Good, 61, was promoted to CEO from chief financial officer in 2013. A former partner at Arthur Andersen, she joined Duke predecessor Cinergy in 2002.  The Ohio native won Edison Electric Institute’s Distinguished Leadership Award in January. She holds bachelor’s degrees in systems analysis and accounting from Miami University in Ohio. Duke Energy serves 7.7 million customers.
First job: Helping with record keeping and inventory at my aunt’s women’s clothing store

Cary

With a background in global taxation, mergers and acquisitions, global financing arrangements and project management, Gray handles the overall financial model of ABB, a Switzerland-based multinational that focuses on power infrastructure, the electrical grid and transportation. He is a University of Memphis graduate.

Mooresville

A native of Australia and professional race car driver, Habul has worked in solar energy since 1996. He started SunEnergy1 in 2010, moving it to North Carolina because of available tax breaks. The Bond University graduate’s company mainly builds utility-scale solar projects that it owns and operates.

Hillsborough

Harkrader, 44, has forged solar partnerships and projects in Kentucky and North Carolina since succeeding her father as CEO in 2018. She has degrees from Brown and New York University. Her first job was office manager at a biogas and waste-to-energy startup in Australia.
Employer’s distinction: We’re a small company that’s had outsized results with projects where we add a unique advantage.

Charlotte

Jamil, 64, has 40 years of experience in the energy industry and previously was Duke’s chief nuclear officer. An electrical engineering graduate of UNC Charlotte, he helped develop the school’s Energy Production Infrastructure Center, a workforce-development tool for the energy industry.

Charlotte

Janson, 55, oversees regulatory and legislative affairs, the strategic direction, and financial performance of Duke Energy’s utilities in the Carolinas. The University of Cincinnati College of Law graduate also is a foundation trustee, helping award $30 million in grants annually.
First job: Lifeguard

Raleigh

Jones, 62, has worked at the not-for-profit group of municipal utilities since 2009, first as senior vice president of planning. He became CEO in 2015. A La Salle University graduate, he supports public power communities.
First job: Washing school buses

Raleigh

Kingery, 53, is board chairwoman of the Amicus Solar Cooperative, which represents 58 independent solar companies nationwide, and a member of the Duke University Environmental Leadership Program. The N.C. State University graduate has been the principal of 360Rocks, which develops entrepreneurial leadership and sustainable operations, since 2015.
First job: Paper route

Durham

The former CEO of Entropy Solar Integrators, Lensch started Leyline to provide capital for promising renewable energy ventures in 2016. A Radford University graduate, he was named the N.C. Sustainable Energy Association’s 2020 Clean Energy Innovator of the Year.

Raleigh

Mitchell leads the group that regulates public utilities. Gov. Roy Cooper appointed her in July 2017 to a term through June 2023. She has a bachelor’s degree from UNC Chapel Hill and a law degree from Duke University. She previously was in private practice.

Mount Airy

Pike oversees about 10,000 employees at one of the largest U.S. electrical system construction and maintenance companies. The Emory University graduate became CEO in 2002 and led seven acquisitions between 2003 and 2012 that expanded the company’s services to include engineering, gas, telecom and renewable services. It went public in 2005, then Pike led a buyout in 2014.

Charlotte

A University of Mississippi graduate, Radcliffe has been president of the solar-energy company since 2010. It struggled at the pandemic’s start, but the Paycheck Protection Program and emergency grants stabilized the business. Revenue in 2020 ended 20% higher than the previous year.

Gastonia

In 1995, Randall started with PSNC Energy, which was purchased by Dominion Energy in 2019. The Clemson University graduate is responsible for customer service, sales and marketing, system operations, maintenance and construction, and project engineering.

Huntersville

The 2019 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Southeast, Waller, 41, has grown his company to 1,700 employees since 2014. Revenue doubled in 2020. Customers include the Carolina Panthers and four other pro football franchises.
First job: Video store clerk

Wilmington

Hired by GE in 1994, Wileman was named president in 2015. He also oversees production of advanced reactors and nuclear services. He is a graduate of Mississippi State University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Durham

After 25 years in the media industry, Wilhelm grew his green-construction business into Strata Solar in 2009. It has developed turnkey solar-energy projects for IKEA, Bayer and others. The University of Passau graduate served on the Energy Policy Council of North Carolina.