CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy today announced several executive changes to further strengthen the ability of the nation's largest electric utility to quickly achieve financial and operational efficiencies resulting from its merger with Progress Energy.

All changes are effective immediately, except where noted otherwise.

• As previously announced, Lloyd Yates will be executive vice president of regulated utilities. Yates previously was executive vice president of customer operations.
• Marc Manly will be executive vice president, and president of commercial businesses. Manly previously was executive vice president and chief legal officer. Chuck Whitlock, interim president of commercial businesses since July, will return to his previous role as president of Midwest commercial generation.
• Julie Janson will be executive vice president and chief legal officer. Janson previously was state president of Duke Energy Ohio and Duke Energy Kentucky.
• Jim Henning will be state president of Duke Energy Ohio and Duke Energy Kentucky, effective Dec. 18, 2012. Henning previously was vice president of government and regulatory affairs for Duke Energy Ohio and Duke Energy Kentucky.
• Keith Trent will be executive vice president and chief operating officer of regulated utilities, comprising: customer operations; regulated fossil generation; regulated hydroelectric generation; health and safety; environmental; fuels and system optimization; and central engineering and services. Trent previously was executive vice president of regulated utilities.
• Dhiaa Jamil, executive vice president and chief nuclear officer, will oversee company-wide project management and construction, in addition to his current duties.
• Jeff Lyash, executive vice president of energy supply, has decided to leave the company, effective Dec. 31, 2012.

"Each of our leaders is experienced, versatile and highly respected within the energy industry," said Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers. "All have played a variety of key roles at Duke Energy, its predecessor companies or other corporations in the past. Collectively, they represent an outstanding senior leadership team that will guide Duke Energy in 2013 and beyond. Jeff Lyash is a talented leader and I want to personally thank him for his service to our company and wish him well in his future endeavors."

About Duke Energy

Duke Energy is the largest electric power holding company in the United States with more than $100 billion in total assets. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 7.1 million electric customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest. Its commercial power and international 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.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., 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.

SOURCE Duke Energy