Duke Energy-Indiana Ties Run Deep

Jim Rogers’ road to the head of Duke Energy and leadership both within his industry and the U.S. business community began, in one sense, in Indiana. 

Who knew in 1988 when he joined Plainfield-based PSI Energy as chairman, president and CEO that PSI would merge with Cinergy (putting Rogers in a similar role out of Cincinnati from 1995-2006) and that the Cinergy-Duke marriage three years ago would elevate him to the leadership position he currently holds.

Rogers made an impact and left an impression in the Hoosier state. He served on the boards of directors of several leading corporations (Indiana National Bank and Duke Realty among them) and earned honorary doctorate degrees from Indiana State University (law) and Marian College (now Marian University) in business administration.

“When Jim Rogers arrived at PSI Energy  in the late 1980s, he brought a level of enthusiasm and vision that challenged the historically conservative power industry,” declares Vince Griffin, who worked for Rogers at that time and is now the Indiana Chamber vice president of environmental and energy policy. “This is unquestionably a challenging time for the electric power industry.”

Duke Energy is also looking at its Edwardsport, Indiana facility as a pilot project for the future with its investment in a 630-megawatt IGCC (integrated gasification combined cycle) facility.

Indiana takes center stage in the energy debate on September 2 with the Indiana Conference on Energy Management. The Duke Energy view, and undoubtedly a heavy dose of Rogers’ philosophy, will be featured in the keynote address from Jim Turner, the company’s second in command and leader of U.S. franchised electric and gas operations.

Boone County Bracing for Future, Growth

Frank Sinatra’s hit song “It Was a Very Good Year” comes to mind when considering Boone County’s many successful business ventures in 2007 (with the good news continuing early in 2008). Several major announcements outlined plans for economic growth in the form of new jobs and a 1,700-acre mixed use development community in Whitestown called Anson.

The idea behind Anson: it’s a place where people can “work, shop and play.” Its industrial side will house businesses such as Medco Health Solutions, whose automated prescription distribution center will create approximately 1,300 jobs. Both Duke Realty and Browning Investments are major players in the Anson project.

Other developments? Lebanon became the new U.S. headquarters for a prominent power tool manufacturer. Also, a global publisher is expanding its distribution center in the Lebanon Business Park. Learn more about these developments and others that made 2007 “a very good year” for Boone County in the current issue of BizVoice magazine.