Tampa energy exec on getting to the top: There’s ‘no easy ride’

Gas and energy industry executive Helen Wesley was working in Calgary, Canada at the onset of the pandemic — 2,773 wintry northwest miles from Tampa. Seeking a step up in her career from a CFO role, in addition to a new family adventure, Wesley targeted North America energy conglomerate Emera Inc. 

She had gotten to know the Emera CEO from an acquisition she worked on when she was with Calgary-based utility firm Enmax. “I sort of chased the CEO and eventually I asked him: how can I work with you?” Wesley recalls. “We did Zoom interviews in Lululemons and shorts. In retrospect, it was all kind of strange and wonderful at the same time.”

Turns out Emera was in need of a president-in-waiting for a unit it operates in Tampa, TECO Peoples Gas. Wesley, saying moving to Florida was the “icing on the cake,” got the job. She was named COO in October 2020, in charge of  engineering and operations, marketing and sales and business development. She was promoted to president in December 2021, a role she remains in today. Peoples Gas has some 470,000 customers, with coverage spread to most parts of Florida, including Pasco through Collier counties. The division has 750 employees.