TAMPA, Fla. -- (Business Wire)

John Ramil, president and chief executive officer of TECO Energy, today announced the promotions of Deirdre “Dee” Brown and Phil Barringer to senior vice president after assuming additional responsibilities following the retirement of Clint Childress, senior vice president of corporate services and chief human resource officer, on Dec. 31.

Dee Brown was promoted today to senior vice president of Corporate Strategy and Technology and chief ethics and compliance officer (Photo: Business Wire)

Gordon Gillette, president of Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas, also named William “Bill” Whale to the position of senior vice president.

Brown was promoted to senior vice president of Corporate Strategy and Technology and chief ethics and compliance officer. She joined TECO Energy in 1990 as an internal auditor. Since 2009, she has served as vice president of Business Strategy and Compliance. Brown received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Florida State University, and received a Master of Business Administration in Management from the University of South Florida.

Barringer was promoted to senior vice president of Corporate Services and chief human resources officer. He joined Tampa Electric in 1984 as an accountant. Most recently, he was president of TECO Guatemala and vice president of Human Resources. Barringer received a bachelor's degree in biology from Davidson College, a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of South Florida.

“Dee and Phil have demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities throughout their careers. Each has a very broad and significant span of responsibilities at TECO Energy, and they have earned their positions through excellent performance,” Ramil said. “They will continue to serve our company, our customers and our team members well.”

Whale was promoted to senior vice president of Electric and Gas Delivery for Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas. His career with the company spans 33 years. In 2009, he assumed responsibility for electric energy delivery and gas operations. Whale received his bachelor's degree in Marine Engineering from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, a Master of Business Administration from the Florida Institute of Technology and a Master of Science in Finance from the University of Tampa.

“Bill is a seasoned professional,” Gillette said. “He has done a great job leading day-to-day operations for both electric and natural gas delivery operations, and his senior leadership will be pivotal with the challenges TECO Energy and the industry face.”

TECO Energy Inc. (NYSE: TE) is an energy-related holding company. Its principal subsidiary, Tampa Electric Company , is a regulated utility in Florida with both electric and gas divisions (Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas System ). Its other major subsidiary, TECO Coal, owns and operates coal production facilities in Kentucky and Virginia.

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Contacts:

TECO Energy Inc.
Media Contact:
Cherie Jacobs, 813-228-4945

Source: TECO Energy Inc.