Duke Energy Florida Named Permanent Relations Manager
Libby Hoctor will manage government and community outreach across the utility's 35-county service area.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in People
Duke Energy Florida has officially appointed Libby Hoctor as the permanent South Coastal Government and Community Relations Manager. Hoctor, who has been with the utility company since 2018, previously served in the role on an interim basis.
Why it matters
This appointment secures a consistent point of contact for regional stakeholders, including nonprofit leaders, business executives, and elected officials. Maintaining established relationships in the utility sector is vital for navigating local infrastructure projects and regulatory compliance.
Hoctor now leads community and government relations for a 35-county service area. She has been with the utility provider since 2018.
The players
Duke Energy Florida
A subsidiary of a major investor-owned utility providing electric power to customers across the state.
Libby Hoctor
The newly appointed South Coastal Government and Community Relations Manager who has served at the firm since 2018.
The details
In this permanent capacity, Hoctor acts as the primary liaison between the utility and local government bodies, nonprofits, and business leadership. The role requires coordinating regional outreach to ensure alignment between utility operations and community needs across the company's extensive coverage zone. By moving from an interim to a permanent designation, the firm establishes long-term continuity in its high-stakes stakeholder engagement strategy.
Timeline
Libby Hoctor joined Duke Energy in 2018.
Duke Energy officially made Hoctor's position permanent on September 30, 2026.
Market Landscape
Utility providers increasingly rely on local relations managers to navigate the complex regulatory and stakeholder environments inherent to large-scale infrastructure deployment. This appointment aligns with the industry standard of building long-term political and community capital.
Operators in the 35-county service area should note this leadership change as a primary point of contact for regional utility issues. Businesses interacting with the provider on project permitting or infrastructure access should update their outreach records accordingly.
The takeaway
Maintaining strong ties with utility liaisons is an essential strategy for managing operational dependencies in regulated industries. Businesses should proactively monitor changes in utility management to ensure their advocacy and infrastructure requirements are clearly communicated to the right party.
Further reading
For more on shifts in state-level leadership and organizational talent, visit the Florida People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..
