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Energy Exec Was Leader

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By RUSSELL RAY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 28, 2007

Joe Richardson, former president and chief executive officer of Florida Power Corp., died Thursday due to complications from cancer surgery. He was 58.

Richardson served as president and CEO of the St. Petersburg-based electric utility until it was bought by Progress Energy in December 2000.

'Joe was a natural leader,' said Andy Hines, former chairman of Florida Power. 'He had the intellectual ability and personal skills to work well with all sorts of people. He was able to get the job done without having to run over people to do it.'

Richardson joined the utility now known as Progress Energy Florida in February 1976 as assistant legal counsel. He held several positions within the company, including senior vice president of legal and administrative services. Richardson was named president and chief operating officer in 1996. A year later, he was promoted to CEO.

'Joe Richardson was a respected and beloved leader of our company,' said Jeff Lyash, president and CEO of Progress Energy Florida. 'He spent a quarter century working for the company, and he still has deep connections here.'

After Progress Energy's acquisition of Florida Power, Richardson left the company and was later named CEO of Global Energy Group of Scottsdale, Ariz.

In 2003, he joined Allegheny Energy in Greensburg, Pa. Richardson was serving as chief operating officer of Allegheny's power generation business at the time of his death.

'On a professional level, I can't say enough about Joe's capabilities and leadership,' said Paul Evanson, chairman, president and CEO of Allegheny. 'On a personal level, I knew Joe for 15 years. Joe was simply a wonderful person, beloved by everyone who came in contact with him.'

Richardson served as a director for the Edison Electric Institute, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Pinellas County Education Foundation and the Tampa Bay Partnership.

Richardson earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Cornell University and a law degree from Florida State University.

He is survived by his wife, Karen, and three adult children and their families. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Reporter Russell Ray can be reached at (813) 259-7870 or rray@tampatrib.com.

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