Honored were:   John Garton of Charlotte; Denise Macedo of São Paulo, Brazil; Brian Morris of Charlotte; and Tommy Wyche of Greenville, S.C.

John Garton, a recently retired senior resource manager for Duke Power, spent 28 years actively representing the company in the natural resources conservation field – advancing Duke Energy’s reputation for environmental stewardship among important stakeholders and making them aware of Duke Energy’s business practices.

Garton has worked with the S.C. Wildlife Federation, the N.C. Wildlife Federation, the National Wild Turkey Federation and the S.C. Department of Natural Resources to develop a wildlife management program called Wildlife and Industry Together (WAIT). The program enhances wildlife habitat and reduces grounds maintenance at industry sites. In 2001, the Wildlife Federation certified sites at IBM, Vulcan and Michelin, as well as Duke Energy’s McGuire and Catawba nuclear stations using WAIT’s certification processes.

Denise Macedo, public affairs manager in São Paulo, Brazil, and her team have developed a series of unique programs that have helped Duke Energy set a high standard for corporate community involvement and stewardship in Brazil.

In São Paulo, her team provided environmental educational magazines to more than 7,000 school children. She helped establish an environmental week when 1,200 seed packets were distributed to more than 1,000 students to help motivate the children to plant trees and become good environmental stewards.

In 2001, Brian Morris helped Duke Power safely, effectively and efficiently treat upwards of 12,000 miles of vegetation along the company’s distribution lines. 

Morris ensured that the 30 contractor spray crews who treat the vegetation were properly outfitted with equipment necessary for using a dilute concentrate herbicide mix, reducing the amount of water and mix that had to be shipped throughout Duke Power’s service territory. Arborists and utility representatives from across the United States learned of Duke Power’s success with the program when he presented the program to the International Society of Arboriculture.

Tommy Wyche, an attorney, photographer, author, hiker, nationally recognized land conservationist, is a long-time Duke Energy partner.

His book, The Blue Wall:   Wilderness of the Carolinas and Georgia, fostered support for the major conservation purchases of Duke Energy’s Jocassee lands in North Carolina and South Carolina. His photographs and numerous presentations were instrumental in supporting the sale.

His most recent publication, Mosaic:   Twenty-One Special Places in the Carolinas, the Land Conservation Legacy of Duke Power, documents the recreation and natural resource value of the lands that Duke Energy has placed in public ownership.

Duke Energy is a diversified multinational energy company with an integrated network of energy assets and expertise. The company manages a dynamic portfolio of natural gas and electric supply, delivery and trading businesses – meeting the energy needs of customers throughout North America and in key markets around the world. Duke Energy, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is a Fortune 500 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.