| Raiford SmithDirector – Smart Grid Emerging Technology |
Raiford Smith is Director of Smart Grid Emerging Technology for Duke Energy. In this role, his team is responsible for developing, assessing, and selecting new and emerging transmission, distribution, and telecommunication technologies for various smart grid applications. His group also creates detailed business cases and provides global project management for joint-venture technology development initiatives in the United States, China, South Korea, and Japan. Additionally, his group works with internal stakeholders to determine regulatory, policy, and business implications related to implementation of commercialized research and development projects.
Mr. Smith has 20 years of experience in the energy industry. During that time, he has served in various roles in both the regulated retail and unregulated wholesale electric and natural gas businesses. His experience includes positions in legal, customer management, energy efficiency, pricing and rates, product development, wholesale deal structuring, mergers and acquisitions, and technology.
A native of Savannah, GA., Mr. Smith earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from the University of Georgia, a Masters of Business Administration degree from the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia, and a Juris Doctor from the Charlotte School of Law.
Mr. Smith is a licensed attorney and member of the North Carolina Bar Association; has published several papers on energy efficiency, asset optimization, and price forecasting; has earned his Six Sigma Green Belt certification; and is a recipient of the 2006 Southeastern Electric Exchange Industry Excellence Award in the category of rates and regulation.
Duke Energy, one of the largest power companies in the United States, supplies and delivers electricity to approximately 4 million customers in the Carolinas and the Midwest. The company also distributes natural gas in Ohio and Kentucky. Its commercial power and international businesses operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing renewable energy portfolio. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK.
