Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) has named Clark Gillespy president of the company's South Carolina service region. Gillespy replaces Catherine Heigel, who recently accepted a position outside the company.

Gillespy will be responsible for advancing the company's rate and regulatory initiatives and managing state and local regulatory and government relations, economic development and community affairs. Previously, he served as vice president of economic development, business development and territorial strategies for Duke Energy in North Carolina and South Carolina.

In addition, Gillespy has been selected to lead South Carolina when Duke Energy merges with Progress Energy (NYSE: PGN). The merger is targeted to close July 1.

Gillespy joined Duke Energy in 2004 and has more than 25 years of combined experience in economic development, site selection consulting, and the practice of international law in both the U.S. and Europe.

Gillespy earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Alabama. He holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the Cumberland School of Law (Alabama), continuing with a diploma in Advanced International Legal Studies from the McGeorge School of Law in Salzburg, Austria. Clark also holds an MBA from European University in Brussels, Belgium.

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