Gordon Gillette, president of Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas, announced today that Charles "Chuck" O. Hinson, TECO Energy's vice president of Federal & State Governmental Affairs, has become the vice president of State and Community Relations for Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas.

"Chuck brings a wealth of experience that will be important in our overall efforts to expand our electric and gas businesses and to continue serving our customers well," Gillette said.

Hinson will be responsible for state governmental affairs, local community and governmental relations and franchise renewals. Current gas and electric community relations employees will report to Hinson.

Hinson joined TECO Energy in 1994. Previously, he served in state governmental affairs roles for Centel/Sprint Corp. and the Florida Dental Association. Chuck serves on the boards of the Associated Industries of Florida and the Tampa Bay Political Leadership Institute, and he will soon join the board of TaxWatch.

Tampa Electric Company is the principal subsidiary of TECO Energy Inc. (NYSE: TE), an energy-related holding company with regulated utility operations in Florida, including both Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas System. Tampa Electric serves more than 672,000 customers in West Central Florida. Other subsidiaries include TECO Coal, which owns and operates coal production facilities in Kentucky and Virginia, and TECO Guatemala, which is engaged in electric power generation and energy-related businesses in Guatemala.

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Tampa Electric Company
Cherie Jacobs, 813-228-4945