Sophia O'Keefe

Accountable for stakeholder engagement for all infrastructure projects in Florida on a capital portfolio of approximately $2.5 billion annually and more than 900 projects requiring public engagement. Manage a team of 20 engagement professionals and external consultants to ensure internal and external engagement for high impact projects.

• Responsible for developing and executing strategies for proactively communicating and engaging internal and external stakeholders to minimize opposition for complex infrastructure projects including transmission, delivery and renewables.
• Develop engagement plans to engage the public proactively on high impact projects such as new lines, new substations, line rebuilds and substation expansions, hydrogen, solar, and distribution projects that impact residential, commercial, industrial, and small/med businesses. Protect the company's reputation through proactive communication and collaboration.
• Collaborate with State Presidents, Community Relations, Government Affairs, Environmental, Siting, and numerous internal operational business units to ensure successful project achievement and positive reputation impacts.

Accountable for Transmission capital project portfolio in Florida, Western North & South Carolina including project management, work management & compliance. Manage a team of 65 professionals and oversee the largest capital and operations & maintenance budget in company history. Serve as key leader within transmission organization of 2,500 employees.

• Strengthened company's business by leading implementation of $500 million annual project portfolio, $1.8 billion in active projects and $30 million in operations & maintenance expense.
• Executed projects achieving 95% on schedule and within .1% of budgetary requirements.
• Recognized with Operational Excellence Award for streamlining customer project schedules, communications and collaboration.

Spearheaded project controls department for transmission portfolio averaging $250 million annually. Oversaw project scheduling, budgeting, and reporting. Managed team of 25 professionals.

• Achieved 99% on schedule project performance.
• Strengthened company's business by leading implementation of best practice reporting for all regions. Recognized for outstanding project reporting by senior leadership.
• Developed and implemented staging & logistics storm response process for transmission group.

Managed energy services business in Florida serving key customers in wholesale, energy cooperatives, commercial, industrial and municipal segments. Provided added value construction, engineering and maintenance services. Managed team of 8 professionals in profit & loss responsibility, achieving earnings growth targets, and customer satisfaction goals.

• Increased profits 3-5% annually by generating new business through development of marketing materials, expanding roles and responsibilities and aggressive business development strategy.
• Improved customer satisfaction to 99% through implementing a customer survey focused on retention.
• Increased retention of wholesale customers.

Served in strategic leadership role for all external publics in central Florida. Developed and directed strategy for community, government relations, and corporate citizenship that supported business priorities. Led proactive issues management strategy during a period of significant operational and reputation issues.

• Achieved renewal of eight 10-30 year municipal contracts. Award recognition for contract negotiations and renewals, managing public strategy and implementation of contracts during a multi-year period of attempts by cities to take over the electric system.
• Spearheaded storm response & external relations during the 2004 storm season which involved 3 hurricanes impacting central Florida. Award recognition from the community including Business of the Year.
• Achieved numerous awards in recognition of community involvement and reputation management.

Developed and implemented community and public relations strategy for nine hospitals in Central Florida. Fostered community support for key initiatives including Level I trauma center, cardiac care, international business, diabetes care, and oncology. Created marketing materials and publications, organized community events and accountable for charitable contributions.

• Generated new business through strategic alliances and events to achieve mutually beneficial goals.
• Award recognition for annual report.

Developed and implemented customer initiatives for Orlando Regional Sand Lake Hospital and Orlando Regional urgent care facilities in tourism market.  

• Increased awareness of facilities, generated additional business, and improved guest satisfaction.
• Developed guest services customer program which included community partnerships and VIP programs.