Press Room

Thank you for your interest in Peoples Gas. In the Press Room we have compiled digital assets that are available for your use as well as information on our subject matter experts. For journalists on a deadline, please contact us for further information. We look forward to helping you find the information you need for your upcoming story!

News and events.

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About Peoples Gas.

Founded in 1895, Peoples Gas System Inc. has grown to become Florida’s largest natural gas distribution utility, serving more than 520,000 homes and businesses across the state. The company’s mission is to make life better for communities by delivering safe, resilient, efficient and affordable natural gas energy solutions. Through investments in people, technology, infrastructure and environmentally focused innovations, the company is committed to fueling Florida’s clean energy future responsibly and sustainably. Peoples Gas cultivates a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace that includes varied backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, and supports the communities it serves through stewardship and economic development efforts.

Subject matter experts.

Helen Wesley

President & CEO

Expertise:

  • Leadership
  • Strategy and strategic planning
  • Sustainability
  • Operations management
  • Innovation and technology
  • Human dynamics of safety management
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Timothy O’Connor

Senior Vice President of Safety, Operations and Engineering

Expertise:

  • Natural gas operations
  • Natural gas pipeline development
  • Sustainability and clean energy
  • Emerging natural gas technologies and solutions
  • Renewable natural gas (RNG) sourcing, development, system injection, delivery, usage
  • Compressed natural gas (CNG) for large
    transportation fleets
  • Liquefied natural gas (LNG) for marine and large fleet transportation, electric grid stability)
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Joann Wehle

Vice President of Strategy, Marketing and Communications

Expertise:

  • Natural gas programs and services
  • Economic development
  • Commercial and industrial natural gas
    usage and onsite applications
  • Natural gas commodity pricing, forecasting
  • Customer satisfaction
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Luke Buzard

Vice President of Regulatory & External Affairs

Expertise:

  • Rate design and cost impact analysis
  • Cost recovery measures
  • Regulatory accounting and audit
  • Florida Public Service Commission Matters
  • State and local government affairs
  • Community impact, engagement and investment
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Media contact

Sylvia Vega

Peoples Gas
3600 Midtown Drive
Tampa, Florida 33607
shvega@tecoenergy.com

About

Timothy

O’Connor joined Emera in 2006 and has served in roles of increasing responsibility, including in accounting, strategy and business development at Emera Maine, Emera Energy and Emera Inc. Most recently, he was vice president, Business Development for Peoples Gas. O’Connor earned his bachelor’s degree in both finance and economics from New York University and holds a Master of Business Administration from Fordham University.

Expertise

  • Natural gas pipeline development
  • Sustainability and clean energy
  • Emerging natural gas technologies and
    solutions
  • Renewable natural gas (RNG) sourcing,
    development, system injection, delivery, usage
  • Compressed natural gas (CNG) for large
    transportation fleets
  • Liquefied natural gas (LNG) for marine and large
    fleet transportation, electric grid stability)
  • Natural gas operations

More on Timothy

O’Connor serves on the board of the Florida Natural Gas Association, is a member of the Southern Gas Association (Communications Taskforce) and was a panelist at the Florida Chamber of Commerce 2020 Transportation, Growth & Infrastructure Summit. He is a member of Leadership Tampa Bay Class of 2019.

About

Joann

Since joining TECO in 1990, Wehle has served in roles of increasing responsibility in the Audit Services, Power Marketing, Fuels Management, Energy Conservation, and New Construction departments. Before joining Peoples Gas, Wehle was director of Power Marketing and Fuel Planning for Tampa Electric Company. Wehle holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Ind., and completed graduate coursework in accounting at the University of Florida. Wehle maintains her CPA license in Florida and held a variety of accounting and auditing jobs earlier in her career.

Expertise

  • Natural gas programs and services
  • Economic development
  • Commercial and industrial natural gas usage and onsite applications
  • Natural gas commodity pricing, forecasting
  • Customer satisfaction

More on Joann

Wehle serves on the Junior League of Tampa Community Advisory Board and is involved with industry association operating committees including Florida Natural Gas Association, Southern Gas Association, the Energy Solutions Center, the American Gas Association, and the Gas Technology Institute.

About

Luke

Buzard joined TECO in 2010 as manager of Audit Services after seven years in public accounting serving a multitude of industries. During his time at Peoples Gas he has held leadership roles in the areas of safety, compliance, technology and regulatory including the company’s most recent rate case filing. Buzard received both his Bachelor of Science in Accounting and his Master of Accountancy from the University of South Florida. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Internal Auditor.

Expertise

  • Rate design and cost impact analysis
  • Cost recovery measures
  • Regulatory accounting and audit
  • Florida Public Service Commission Matters
  • State and local government affairs
  • Community impact, engagement and investment

More on Luke

Buzard serves on the board of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County where he is currently the Finance Chair. He previously served as chair of the University of South Florida Accounting Circle and was a member of Class IV of the Leadership Connect Institute.