Business

Duke Energy announces 2017 Power Partner award winners

Published

9 years ago

December 28, 2017

CHARLOTTE, N.C.— The familiar phrase “Cream rises to the top” precisely describes each of the six organizations receiving the 2017 Duke Energy Power Partner award.

Duke Energy established the Power Partner award in 1992 to honor businesses and other organizations that achieve exemplary results in categories that include solutions innovation, community excellence, renewable excellence, sustainability innovation and storm restoration. Each of the 2017 Power Partners will be recognized at individual award ceremonies this winter.

“This year, we made adjustments to the nomination and selection process by choosing winners in distinct categories that align with Duke Energy’s purpose and core values,” said Chris Edge, Duke Energy vice president for large business customers. “We are proud to shine a light on these companies that consistently demonstrate their devotion to leadership, collaboration and business excellence.”

The 2017 Power Partner award-winning organizations include:

Qorvo Inc., Apopka, FL
Category: Solutions Innovation
Qorvo, global provider of innovative radio frequency (RF) solutions that connect us, partnered with Duke Energy to develop an innovative backup generation/demand response system. This solution delivers premium service reliability to customers while helping Duke Energy manage its system during times of grid stress. The resiliency provided by this solution is key for Qorvo’s advanced processes, so it can scale production to support global smartphones and the networks that connect our world.
Grifols, Clayton, NC
Category: Solutions Innovation
Grifols produces essential plasma-derived medicines for patients and provides hospitals, pharmacies and health care professionals with the tools, information and services they need to help them deliver expert medical care. The company’s manufacturing processes require extremely high levels of reliability and power quality. Over the years, Grifols has worked with Duke Energy to meet this premium power requirement, leveraging Duke Energy’s Premier Power solution, as well as redundant transformers and an alternate distribution service.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Fletcher, NC
Category: Community Excellence
When a new manufacturing neighbor moved to town, Sierra Nevada Brewing did what neighbors often do: welcomed them to the neighborhood. However, to economically serve this new neighbor’s 13-megawatt demand for power, Duke Energy required access across Sierra Nevada’s campus. Rather than throwing up barriers, Sierra Nevada worked with Duke Energy and the manufacturer to grant the access needed to serve the new demand. This not only reduced Duke Energy’s cost to serve the new customer, but also allowed Duke Energy to meet the manufacturer’s timeline, smoothing the way for a $217 million investment in its new facility.
Naval Support Activity Crane, Crane, IN
Category: Renewable Excellence
Throughout the country, the U.S. Navy has been working with utilities to advance renewable energy projects in support of the Navy’s renewable and energy security goals. Duke Energy has partnered with the Naval Support Activity Crane base to install, own and operate a 17-megawatt solar power plant. It is Duke Energy’s first regulated solar investment in Indiana. Making its land available to Duke Energy, the Navy has enabled the utility to generate clean, renewable power at Naval Support Activity Crane and flow this power to the grid for consumption by all customers.
Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc., Lafayette, IN
Category: Innovation in Sustainability
Subaru is a recognized leader in environmental stewardship, winning 11 major awards since 2003. In addition to being an early innovator in recycling, the company has made a continuing commitment to reduce its waste stream. With a dedicated staff of sustainability professionals, Subaru freely shares its best practices with others, including Duke Energy’s sustainability organization. In addition, Subaru and Duke Energy worked together in 2016 to erect two bald eagle nesting platforms on Subaru’s site, helping increase the bald eagle population.
Godwin Manufacturing, Dunn, NC
Category: Storm Restoration
When severe weather strikes, Duke Energy crews leap into action, supported by a logistics team that provides the facilities, equipment and materials needed to quickly and safely restore service. Making these items promptly available to crews is key to timely restorations. For the past 16 years, Godwin has allowed Duke Energy to use its gated truck lot to stage materials needed for storm restoration. In addition, Pat Godwin, president of Godwin Manufacturing, allows Duke Energy access to climate-controlled facilities with running water and restrooms.

SOURCE | Duke Energy

Up Next

18,000 Hot Dogs, 65,000 Beers, and 1,000 Volunteers: SodexoMAGIC Reveals What It Takes to Feed More Than 90,000 Fans at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 1

Don't Miss

Duke Energy sending additional personnel, resources to accelerate power restoration in Puerto Rico

Click to comment

Business

New AdventHealth Middleton Clinic Brings Pediatric Specialists, Urogynecology Near The Villages

Published

3 days ago

October 30, 2026

FNN NEWS

The multispecialty clinic features 24 treatment rooms, pediatric imaging and services designed to bring care closer to Middleton families.

MIDDLETON, Fla. (FNN) — Families in Middleton have a new option for pediatric and women’s specialty care with the opening of the AdventHealth Middleton Multispecialty Clinic, according to an Oct. 29 news release from AdventHealth.

Located at 2274 Alder Ave., the clinic brings together pediatric primary care, pediatric cardiology, pediatric orthopedics and women’s urogynecology services. The facility includes 24 treatment rooms, a pediatric X-ray room and spaces for children’s heart screenings.

Bringing care closer to families

Middleton, a master-planned community along Central Parkway, is home to approximately 1,200 families and households, many with residents who work in and around The Villages, according to the release.

For Jenny Trew, whose family was the first to move to Middleton, the new clinic could mean fewer long trips for routine appointments. She has been driving nearly an hour to Clermont for pediatric care for her 13-year-old twin sons, Jasen and Jackson.

“Going to the pediatrician usually means pulling both boys out of school, taking time away from work and making a day out of something that should be pretty simple,” Trew said in the release.

Having a pediatrician in the neighborhood will make it easier to balance health care appointments with work, school, sports and other activities, she said.

Dr. Vanessa Carroll, chief medical officer of AdventHealth for Children, said proximity matters when families are seeking care for a sick or injured child.

“Parents don’t want to take their child to just any doctor. They want someone they can trust, right around the corner,” Carroll said in the release. “Because when your child is sick or injured, an hour-long drive can feel even farther.”

Expanding women’s specialty services

The clinic also provides urogynecology services, including care for urinary incontinence and pelvic floor conditions.

The location gives women a nearby option for specialized treatment aimed at improving comfort, health and quality of life, according to AdventHealth.

“Women spend so much of their lives caring for others, and it can become very easy to put their own health last,” Kristen Toth, vice president of AdventHealth for Women, said in the release. “We want women to know there is care here for them, too.”

The clinic brings AdventHealth for Children and AdventHealth for Women together at one location to serve families through different stages of life.

Supporting students and schools

Middleton’s early childhood centers, two K-8 schools and high school collectively enroll more than 3,000 students, according to the release.

LeAnne Yerk, principal of The Villages Charter Elementary School, said access to nearby pediatric care supports students’ health and readiness to learn.

“As educators, we see firsthand that a child’s ability to learn, grow and thrive in the classroom is deeply connected to their health and well-being,” Yerk said in the release.

She described the clinic’s proximity to schools as an important resource for students and families, helping connect health care with educational support.

Location and appointments

The AdventHealth Middleton Multispecialty Clinic is located at 2274 Alder Ave., Middleton, Florida.

To schedule an appointment, call:

Pediatric primary care: 352-467-7862
Pediatric cardiology: 352-353-2788
Pediatric orthopedics: 407-303-5687
Women’s urogynecology: 407-303-1380

For online appointment information, visit MyMiddletonPediatrics.com for children’s services or MiddletonUrogyn.com for women’s services.

Business

GOAA Highlights Airport Improvements, Approves New Small Business Policies

Published

2 weeks ago

October 22, 2026

FNN NEWS

Gate Link train on an elevated guideway at Orlando International Airport, with palm trees, airport buildings and a control tower behind it.

A Gate Link train travels along an elevated guideway at Orlando International Airport, with the airport’s control tower in the background. Photo courtesy of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

Terminal upgrades, parking projects and international connections mark the authority’s fiscal year review.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority highlighted terminal improvements, expanded international connections and parking projects during its fiscal 2026 review, while its board adopted changes to a local business program and announced a new statewide small business initiative.

The updates affect Orlando International Airport and Orlando Executive Airport, which GOAA operates.

“We are undertaking an ambitious effort to redefine what it means to deliver a world-class airport experience,” GOAA CEO Lance Lyttle said in the authority’s announcement.
“As we welcome more visitors, more airlines, more routes, and new programs, our responsibility is to elevate every part of the journey — making it more welcoming, intuitive, and connected.”

A Gate Link train travels along an elevated guideway at Orlando International Airport, with the airport’s control tower in the background. Photo courtesy of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

Terminal Improvements Focus on Connections and Families

Among the completed projects was an enclosed pedestrian bridge with moving walkways connecting Orlando International Airport’s train station and Terminal C.

Terminal C also opened a new wing serving gates 250–254, providing additional capacity and becoming the new home for Virgin Atlantic’s airport operations.

Three new Family Zones — one in each terminal — offer spaces for children and families to play, read and recharge. GOAA also highlighted improvements to directional signs along airport roads, in parking areas and throughout the terminals.

Parking Expansion and $40 Million Improvement Program

GOAA reported progress on a parking guidance system at Terminal C, with phased activation across all garages planned through mid-2027.

Dedicated employee parking areas are intended to free additional spaces for travelers. Planning is also underway for two new garages expected to add 8,000 public parking spaces over the next few years.

Separately, the authority’s $40 million Beautiful Airports Program targets safety, functionality and appearance across garages, terminals and other airport areas.

Aviation Investments and International Service

The fiscal year review highlighted a $50 million investment by dnata, a $26 million redevelopment by Signature Aviation at Orlando International Airport and groundbreaking for Sky Harbour’s $40 million campus at Orlando Executive Airport.

International service developments included ZIPAIR’s nonstop passenger charter flights between Orlando and Tokyo and Iberia’s launch of nonstop service to Madrid.

GOAA described ZIPAIR’s service as the first passenger charter connection between Florida and the Asia-Pacific region.

Business Policy Changes Broaden Eligibility

The board adopted revisions to GOAA’s Local Developing Business program following research, town halls and discussions with internal experts.

The changes increase the allowable personal net worth threshold and clarify how assets are excluded from that calculation, including primary residence equity, business equity, retirement assets and certain nonliquid holdings.

Business size standards were also revised to account for inflation and increased operating costs. The announcement did not specify the updated financial thresholds.

A new Small Business program will complement the local program and extend eligibility to qualifying businesses throughout Florida. Under the announced framework, participating businesses must fall within 50% of the applicable U.S. Small Business Administration size standard.

GOAA said detailed guidelines for both programs would be posted on its website. Those guidelines will provide businesses with the information needed to assess eligibility.

Business

Florida Restaurant Show 2026: Orlando Event Features Chef Competitions, Pizza Innovation and Restaurant Solutions

Published

3 weeks ago

October 9, 2026

FNN NEWS

The combined events celebrate their 55th and fifth anniversaries Oct. 25–27 at the Orange County Convention Center, featuring education, culinary competitions and a $5,000 attendee giveaway.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — The Florida Restaurant Show and Pizza Tomorrow Summit are marking milestone anniversaries at the Orange County Convention Center, bringing restaurant, pizza and foodservice professionals together Oct. 25–27 for product demonstrations, education, culinary competitions and networking.

The Florida Restaurant Show is celebrating its 55th anniversary, while the Pizza Tomorrow Summit marks its fifth. One registration provides access to both events.

Organizer Restaurant Events announced a total of $5,000 in attendee giveaways during the three-day gathering. Attendees can pick up a ticket at registration for a chance to win.

Education Addresses Food Costs, Staffing and AI

More than 40 hours of education cover profitability, food costs, operations, marketing, artificial intelligence, staffing, leadership and customer engagement.

Featured programs include Restaurant Management 201 and 301, presented by Darren Denington, founder and operator of Service with Style, and Alison Anne, leader of Restaurant Revolution.

A new program, “The Wizard Behind the Curtain,” presented by Maverick Theory founder Michael Tipps, examines how owners and entrepreneurs develop restaurant concepts and turn ideas into businesses.

A Team Bundle Package offers savings and flexible attendance options for groups of six from the same organization, allowing employees to explore sessions relevant to their roles.

Culinary Competitions Spotlight Professional Chefs

The Sunshine Plate Challenge Arena features more than 30 professional chefs across four American Culinary Federation-sanctioned competitions, organizers said.

The announced schedule includes:

Sunday, Oct. 25: Student and professional pastry sculpture competitions and the Professional Pork Challenge.
Monday, Oct. 26: The Professional Seafood Challenge, sponsored by Bar Harbor Seafood.
Tuesday, Oct. 27: The Professional Beef Challenge.

The arena’s Sunday programming also includes the Hospitality School Showdown, featuring culinary faculty and alumni representing four Florida hospitality programs.

Unox sponsors the arena, with product support from Gordon Food Service, Bar Harbor Seafood, Expedition Provisions, Yukan Foods, Pizzacini and Keg Kraft Beverage Company.

Pizza Tomorrow Summit Highlights Industry Innovation

The Pizza Tomorrow Summit features education, demonstrations and competitions focused on the pizza industry.

Its announced Monday programming includes a live taping of the “So You Want to Run a Restaurant” podcast with California Pizza Kitchen co-founder Rick Rosenfield. The session, sponsored by Back of House, includes a discussion and giveaway of his book, “The California Pizza Kitchen Story.”

The U.S. Pizza Team and Galbani Professionale U.S. are also hosting the 2026 Galbani Professionale Pizza Cup. Pizza makers and pizza acrobats compete in culinary and acrobatic events, with grand-prize winners earning a trip to compete at the World Pizza Championships in Parma, Italy.

One Registration Connects Two Industries

By holding the events together, organizers give restaurant operators access to ideas emerging from the pizza industry while connecting pizzeria operators with equipment, technology and education relevant to the broader foodservice market.

The Florida Restaurant Show and Pizza Tomorrow Summit conclude Tuesday, Oct. 27, at the Orange County Convention Center.