Duke Energy makes sure diverse suppliers know which doors to knock on and how to establish sustainable relationships with the company. Not only that, Duke Energy shows other utilities how to do the same.

In 2014, Duke Energy held business summits in Ohio and South Carolina – bringing together diverse suppliers and utilities to lay the foundation for how suppliers can succeed in the energy industry. Duke Energy held smaller forums in Indiana and Florida. These forums open new doors for women-, minority- and veteran-owned businesses as well as businesses in Historically Underutilized Business Zones – highlighting their products and services to potential customers within Duke Energy and other utilities.

The end result is a better educated, diverse business community that has an understanding of the energy industry. Other utilities are also encouraged to adopt similar strategies that have been successful at Duke Energy.

Duke Energy’s supplier diversity initiatives received several recognitions in 2014, including:

• The 2014 Edison Electric Institute’s Supplier Diversity Innovator of the Year Award
• The Central North Florida Minority Supplier Development Council’s CEO of the Year Award – accepted by Duke Energy Florida State President Alex Glenn