Maddux NewsWire

CLEARWATER, Fla.– (July 28, 2009) – Eckerd Youth Alternatives President and CEO David Dennis recently announced that Michael A. Lewis, Senior Vice President, Energy Delivery, Progress Energy Florida has joined the Board of Directors of Eckerd Youth Alternatives, Inc. “Michael brings with him years of experience in operations and management with Progress Energy, a company that is committed to innovation and corporate responsibility,” Dennis said. “His valuable expertise will assist us in continuing our mission of operating innovative and results-oriented programs that help at-risk youth succeed.” Lewis has been with Progress Energy and Florida Power since 1986, two weeks after graduating from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. Lewis held a couple of engineering positions before becoming Florida Power’s youngest district manager at age 27 in 1989. He earned his master’s degree in business administration from Nova Southeastern University and rose through various management positions to include Distribution Operations Manager in Pasco County in 1994, General Manager for the South Coastal Region in 1997, Regional Vice President for both North and South Coastal Regions in 2000 and Vice President of Distribution for Progress Energy Florida in 2004. In January 2008, Lewis was promoted to Senior Vice President, Energy Delivery, Progress Energy Florida where he currently oversees distribution operations and services in Florida to include engineering, operations, construction, metering, power restoration technology, and community relations. Lewis and his company believe that some of their most important connections to the community are not found on utility poles. Eckerd Youth Alternatives is pleased to be one of these important community connections and proudly welcomes Michael Lewis to their Board. In addition to the Eckerd Youth Alternatives Board, Lewis also serves on the Board of Directors of the Pinellas Education Foundation and Junior Achievement of West Central Florida, is a member of the University of Florida Engineering Advisory Council and an alumnus of Leadership Pasco and Leadership Florida. About Progress Energy: Progress Energy (NYSE: PGN), headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, is a Fortune 500 energy company with more than 21,000 megawatts of generation capacity and $9 billion in annual revenues. Looking at power in a new light, Progress Energy includes two major electric utilities that serve approximately 3.1 million customers in the Carolinas and Florida. The company has earned the Edison Electric Institute’s Edison Award – the industry’s highest honor – in recognition of its operational excellence, and was the first utility to receive the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates Founder’s Award for customer service. The company is pursuing a balanced strategy for a secure energy future, which includes aggressive energy-efficiency programs, investments in renewable energy technologies and a state-of-the-art electricity system. In 2008, Progress Energy celebrated a century of service to the public. About Eckerd Youth Alternatives, Inc.: Founded by philanthropists Jack and Ruth Eckerd more than 40 years ago, Eckerd Youth Alternatives, Inc. (EYA) is one of the nation’s leading providers of services for troubled youth. As a private not-for-profit organization, EYA serves nearly 12,000 children each year. Celebrating their 100,000th youth served this year, EYA has been giving young people the opportunity to succeed since 1968 through nearly 40 programs in nine states: Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Louisiana. To learn more, call 1-800-554-HELP (4357) or visit our web site at www.eckerd.org. ###

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