11 Jan Member Spotlight: Michele Cavallo
Michele Cavallo holds a leadership role as the Customer Empowerment Director at Duke Energy Florida. She has held a variety of roles in her 31-year career, starting with Florida Power Corporation in 1989. Michele has a strong background in and passion for customer service. Michele’s career path took her from customer service to public affairs where she helped to develop regulatory policy for the company. It was during her time in public affairs that she developed a deeper understanding of the electric utility industry. She then moved into economic development, where she worked to attract new customers, to then Progress Energy. She later moved into Large Accounts Management, providing top-notch service to some of Duke Energy’s key accounts including Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays. This put Michele on the front lines and on call during the 81 home games every season. As an avid sports fan, this position was uniquely suited for her. Michele’s experiences prepared her well for her next position, Small and Medium Business (SMB) Solutions Director. In this role, she set strategy to improve service and customer experience for the 80,000+ Florida SMB customers.
In her current role as the Customer Empowerment Director for Duke Energy Florida, Michele oversees strategy initiatives for some of Duke Energy’s most vulnerable customers in addition to small and medium business customers. The years of dedication to customers combined with the experiences along the way put her in a wonderful position to help guide the company on important customer strategies.
Michele is also passionate about her work in the community. She currently sits on the Advisory Council of Step Up for Students, the Board of the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce and is the President-Elect of BPW/St. Petersburg-Pinellas. Michele has been an active member of BPW for almost five years and was previously the Program Chair for the local organization. Michele previously served as Vice President and Program Chair for Suncoast Tiger Bay and sat on the Public Policy Council of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce.
Her 31+ years with Duke Energy and its predecessors have prepared her well to serve the mission of BPW – to achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information. She looks forward to serving in a leadership capacity with BPW/SPP to further the objectives – to elevate the standards for women in business and professions, and to promote the interests of business and professional women.
Originally from Clearwater, Florida, Michele received her Bachelor of Science in Management from Florida State University, and a Masters of Business degree from the University of South Florida. Michele is second generation Floridian. Her parents owned a restaurant on Indian Rocks Beach called O’Neal’s On the Rocks. Michele knows firsthand the challenges of a small business owner as both parents were entrepreneurs and small business owners. Michele, her mother and four sisters were all born at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Florida. She and her husband Paul enjoy traveling and music and often combine the two. She and Paul enjoy the company of their very active boxer, Remi.