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Progress Energy chief falls ill

Robert B. McGehee suffered an apparent stroke in London on a company trip.

By ASJYLYN LODER, Times Staff Writer
Published October 9, 2007

Robert B. McGehee, chairman and chief executive officer of Progress Energy, suffered an apparent stroke Sunday while on business in London, company officials said. He underwent surgery in London's Charing Cross Hospital and remained Monday in intensive care.

McGehee, 64, had joined other Progress Energy executives in London to meet with investors. William D. Johnson, president and chief operating officer, has assumed CEO duties in McGehee's absence. The executive committee of the board of directors has appointed lead director John Mullin III as chairman.

Progress Energy of Raleigh N.C., is a Fortune 250 energy company with more than 21,000 megawatts of generation capacity and $10-billion in annual revenues. The company has two major utilities, including Progress Energy Florida of St. Petersburg.

McGehee joined Progress in 1997 and became chairman and CEO in 2004. Before joining Progress Energy, McGehee was chairman of the board of directors of Wise, Carter, Child & Caraway, a large law firm in Jackson, Miss. He earned a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1966 and a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1973. He served aboard nuclear submarines with the Navy.

"All of our employees' thoughts and prayers are certainly with Mr. McGehee and his family," Progress spokesman Mike Hughes said.

McGehee lives in North Carolina with his wife, Jolene McGehee. They have four children and two grandchildren. His wife was not with him Sunday, but has since joined him in London, Hughes said.

Asjylyn Loder can be reached at aloder@sptimes.com or (813) 225-3117.

[Last modified October 8, 2007, 22:33:58]