Richard T. "Stick" Williams

President of Duke Energy Foundation

Williams is the past vice president of corporate community affairs for Duke Energy and president of The Duke Energy Foundation. He leads the company’s philanthropy through The Duke Energy Foundation, which focuses on improving the quality of life in the communities it serves. 

Previously, Williams served as senior vice president of environment, health and safety, leading the group responsible for the company’s environmental compliance, and its health and safety programs.

The Greensboro, N.C., native graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.

Williams is co-chair of Project LIFT, an innovative philanthropic initiative to address educational issues in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools’ West Charlotte Corridor. He serves on the boards of directors of Hope Haven Inc. and the Bank of Commerce of North Carolina. He also serves on the board of advisors of the Carolinas HealthCare System. Williams is immediate past chairman of the board of directors of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte and the board of trustees of the Mint Museum. He is also past chairman of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill board of trustees, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and the UNC-Chapel Hill General Alumni Association. He is also a past board member of Communities In Schools of North Carolina.

He and his wife, Teresa, have three daughters and one grandchild.