Melissa Seixas' Journey from Draftsman to Duke Energy Florida State President MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Melissa Seixas, the Florida state president of Duke Energy, has spent decades advancing in the energy sector, starting her career as a draftsman at the age of 19. Her path to leadership highlights the growing role of women in the energy industry, a trend she says is critical for the future of the field. Seixas began her career with Duke Energy in 1985, working as a draftsman responsible for designing the infrastructure of the electrical grid. At the time, she was just 19 years old, a young professional navigating a male-dominated industry. Her early years were shaped by the guidance of Art Gilmore, a senior engineer who has been with the company for 50 years. Gilmore, now a Senior Asset Design Engineering Technologist, recalls mentoring Seixas during her formative years. “She’s been very good to work with. It’s nice to have an employee you helped train who made something great of herself,” he said. Over the next four decades, Seixas held multiple roles within Duke Energy, steadily climbing the ranks. By 2021, she had become the Florida state president of the company, a position that places her at the forefront of shaping the state’s energy strategy. Her leadership comes at a pivotal time as utilities nationwide seek to diversify their workforce and attract more women to engineering and energy careers. In interviews, Seixas emphasizes the importance of preparing for the future of the energy sector. “One of my most important responsibilities is to hire the next generation of employees,” she said. She envisions a workforce where young professionals, like herself when she started, can grow into leadership roles over time.#duke_energy #melissa_seixas #art_gilmore #manatee_county #florida_state_president
