T. Preston Gillespie

Preston Gillespie serves as executive vice president, chief generation officer and enterprise  operational excellence for Duke Energy. He is responsible for the safe, reliable and efficient  operations of Duke Energy's fleet of nuclear, natural gas, hydro, solar and coal units with a  generating capacity of over 50,000 megawatts. He is also responsible for the company’s  environmental, health and safety policies and programs.

Gillespie has more than 35 years of experience in the energy field. He previously served as  Duke Energy’s chief nuclear officer. In this role, he was responsible for the safe and efficient  operation of the nation’s largest regulated nuclear generating fleet. Other leadership roles  across the company’s nuclear fleet include senior vice president of nuclear operations, site  vice president and plant manager of Oconee Nuclear Station, and site operations manager of  Catawba Nuclear Station. In these roles, he directed station and facilities management,  operations, maintenance, chemistry, radiation protection, engineering, nuclear and industrial  safety, and business operations. 

He joined the company in 1986 as an assistant engineer at Oconee Nuclear Station, where he  earned his senior reactor operator license and held positions in a variety of roles in engineering  and operations.

Gillespie currently serves on boards for Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited and Charlotte Sports  Foundation, and on the advisory board for Clemson University’s College of Engineering, Computing  and Applied Sciences. He is also a member of the National Nuclear Accrediting Board for the  Institute of Nuclear Power Operations. 

A native of Charleston, S.C., Gillespie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical  engineering from Clemson University. He is a registered professional engineer in South Carolina  and a graduate of Wharton’s Advanced Management Program. Gillespie is also a past recipient of  the company’s Robinson Award, which recognized employees for their outstanding contributions to  the company’s operations.

Gillespie and his wife, Donna, have a son.

Last updated April 10, 2025

Duke Energy

Duke Energy, one of the largest energy holding companies in the United States, supplies and delivers electric services to approximately 8.4 million customers in the Southeast and Midwest. The company also distributes natural gas services to approximately 1.7 million customers in the Carolinas, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 150 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK.