Featured Experienced Professional

Tony Almeida is vice president of large business customers for Duke Energy's U.S. Franchised Electric and Gas organization. As part of the retail customer services group, his team is responsible for managing the relationships and services to the company’s largest manufacturing, commercial and institutional retail customers across the Carolinas and the Midwest. He was named to his current position in December 2008. Previously, Almeida served as vice president of business relations and economic development for Duke Energy Carolinas.

What is the importance of the Charlotte Chamber to you and your company's success in this region?

Duke Energy has two key expectations of the chamber: to be the lead economic development agency for Charlotte-Mecklenburg County and the region, continuing to diversify the economy in terms of jobs and providing data and information related to the Charlotte area; and to be the public policy advocate, the voice for the business community in local, state and federal government.

What opportunities and challenges do you see on Charlotte's horizon as the region continues to grow and evolve?

I see opportunities and challenges as one in the same. Because of the erosion of the strong financial services sector in Charlotte-Mecklenburg County, we need to diversify the economy to achieve growth. Local, state and federal government involvement (environmental regulations, labor requirements, immigrant policies and regulations) is going to be more intrusive in the private sector and thus making it more difficult for companies to survive and thrive. Also, our regional population and workforce are diversifying, and we need the chamber to help us leverage that diversity in order to make it an asset.

What must we do to continue to attract and retain diverse businesses and talent to the Charlotte area?

The chamber’s role as the voice of businesses can be a catalyst for ensuring that we have sound and responsible government at the local level, including the school board. The chamber’s role as the economic development agency of the area has the opportunity to facilitate diversity in our workforce by working with educational institutions (public schools, college and universities and business community).

How can Charlotte's young professionals become more meaningfully engaged in shaping the city's future? What's the first step they should take to become more involved?

I think programs like Leadership Charlotte can be an avenue to help Young Professional’s get involved. Also, they should seize the opportunity to get appointed to committees within the City/County (planning and zoning, energy committee) and the Charlotte community (running for public office). Also, they should GET OUT AND VOTE!

You've been hired as an outside consultant and charged with making Charlotte the country's best place for young professionals to live, work play and serve. What's the first item on your "to do" list?

The very first thing I would do is to get out, listen and get people engaged. I would ask groups of young professionals, “What have been your observations about Charlotte?” “What are you looking for?” “What would you like to see?” I like the way the chamber has mobilized Engage Charlotte to be spearhead this effort.