OREANDA-NEWS. Duke Energy today named Brian Savoy vice president, controller and chief accounting officer, replacing Steve K. Young, who became executive vice president and chief financial officer on Aug. 6. Savoy will assume the role Sept. 1.

The company also named Bill Currens vice president for the company's Investor Relations team.

Savoy, 38, has served as director of financial forecasting since 2012. He has led a number of key functions, including vice president and controller of the company's Commercial Power segment, since joining Duke Energy in 2001. Previously, Savoy was a manager with Deloitte & Touche, where he oversaw audit engagements with large energy clients.  

"Brian's financial experience and analytical skills, coupled with his excellent leadership abilities, will be instrumental in his success in this role. Brian has proven himself to be a valued member of Duke Energy's leadership team," said Young.

Savoy, a certified public accountant, earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Lamar University in Texas and completed the Advanced Management Program at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.

Currens replaces Bob Drennan, 65, who will retire Dec. 31, 2013. Drennan has led Duke Energy's Investor Relations team since the close of the merger with Progress Energy in July 2012. Currens and Drennan will begin transitioning responsibilities Sept. 1.

Currens, 44, previously served as director of Investor Relations. He joined Duke Energy in 2002 as a manager in the corporate controller's organization. Before joining Duke Energy, he spent more than nine years with the public accounting firm KPMG LLP.

"Bill brings nearly 20 years of financial experience to our team including over five years in investor relations," said Young. "His focus will continue to emphasize building and establishing trusting relationships with the investment community as well as providing transparency and clarity to our investors."

Currens has a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's degree in accounting from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  He is also a certified public accountant.

Duke Energy is the largest electric power holding company in the United States with more than USD 110 billion in total assets. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 7.2 million electric customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest. Its commercial power and international business segments own and operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States.