Tim Pearson Appointed as South Carolina State President of Duke Energy

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Duke Energy has announced Tim Pearson as the new South Carolina state president, effective November 1. He will take over from Mike Callahan, who has been promoted to senior vice president and treasurer following the retirement of Karl Newlin. Pearson, 42, will oversee regulatory and government relations on both state and local levels within South Carolina.

Who is Tim Pearson?

What Responsibilities Will He Hold?

In his new role, Pearson will work closely with the corporate and regulatory strategy team to advance legislative and regulatory initiatives. His responsibilities also include managing community relations and infrastructure engagement for Duke Energy across South Carolina. Lynn Good, chair and CEO of Duke Energy, emphasized Pearson’s unique skill set as crucial for overcoming challenges in the state’s utility sector.

Why the Shift in Leadership?

This change comes as Callahan transitions back to a financial role after leading Duke Energy’s efforts in South Carolina for the past five years. Callahan’s leadership included guiding community relations during the COVID-19 pandemic and coordinating efforts during storm restoration, such as for Hurricane Helene. His contributions have been acknowledged by the executive vice president and CEO of Duke Energy Carolinas, Julie Janson, who expressed pride in the accomplishments achieved during his tenure.

New Leadership Appointments

Following Pearson’s promotion, Tigerron “Tiger” Wells will succeed him as vice president of government affairs. Currently the state government affairs director, Wells has significant lobbying experience and has played a pivotal role in advancing Duke Energy’s legislative interests in South Carolina. He is a licensed lawyer and previously worked as a litigator and in government affairs.

Looking to the Future

Duke Energy continues to work towards a clean energy transition, focusing on reliability and accessibility for its 8.4 million customers across multiple states. The company aims for net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas operations by 2030, along with net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. Investments in electric grid upgrades and cleaner energy sources remain priorities.

Conclusion

As Tim Pearson steps into his role, the leadership transition at Duke Energy underscores the company’s commitment to addressing the evolving energy landscape. Through collaboration with various stakeholders and policymakers, Duke Energy aims to achieve a more sustainable energy future for South Carolina and beyond.