Priory was honored Monday night at ceremonies held at the Charlotte Convention Center. Speakers at the function included North Carolina Governor Mike Easley and General Electric Chairman Jeffrey Immelt.

“Throughout his business career, Rick Priory has demonstrated leadership skills that have brought honor to him, his community and to Duke Energy,” said Leroy Mayne, Mecklenburg council executive for the Boy Scouts. “He reinforces the traits that we in Scouting strive to teach our young people everyday.”

For more than 10 years, the Distinguished Scouting Citizen Award has honored individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities and have made significant contributions to the Charlotte community. Past recipients of the award include Carolina Panthers’ owner Jerry Richardson and former Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot.

“As a former Scout myself, I’m honored to be recognized by the Boy Scouts and also to be included in the stellar list of past recipients of this award,” said Priory.

The Boy Scouts of America, incorporated on Feb. 8, 1910, and chartered by Congress in 1916, is designed to provide an educational program for boys and young adults to build character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship and to develop personal fitness. The Mecklenburg County Council was chartered locally in 1915.

Duke Energy, a diversified multinational energy company, creates value for customers and shareholders through an integrated network of energy assets and expertise. Duke Energy manages a dynamic portfolio of natural gas and electric supply, delivery and trading businesses -- generating revenues of more than $59 billion in 2001. Duke Energy, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is a Fortune 100 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: www.duke-energy.com.