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Mr. William Cavanaugh III is Chairman of the World Association of Nuclear Operations (WANO). Mr. Cavanaugh retired as the Chairman and CEO of Progress Energy, Inc. in 2004. He had served as the company’s Chief Executive Officer from August 1999 through February 2004. From August 1999 through October 2002, he served as President of Progress Energy, Inc. Mr. Cavanaugh serves or has served as Chairman, President and/or Chief Executive Officer of certain affiliates of Progress Energy, Inc.
Mr. Cavanaugh previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Carolina Power & Light Company (CP&L), one of the predecessors to Progress Energy, Inc., from October 1996 to August 1999 and as President and Chief Operating Officer of CP&L from September 1992 to October 1996.
Mr. Cavanaugh has been in the utility industry since 1969. He worked in various management positions with Entergy Corp. of New Orleans from 1969 to his arrival at CP&L in 1992. At Entergy, he held executive positions at each of its three electric utility subsidiaries: Arkansas Power & Light, Louisiana Power & Light, and Mississippi Power & Light.
He was born and raised in New Orleans, and attended Tulane University. He graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. After college, he joined the Navy and received training in nuclear power through the nuclear submarine program. This established his expertise in nuclear energy generation. He spent the next seven years traveling around the country honing his knowledge in the demanding environment of the nuclear navy.
After being honorably discharged in 1969 as lieutenant commander, Mr. Cavanaugh to broadened his education, attending the Kidder-Peabody Utility Corporate Finance program in 1983 and Harvard University’s advanced management program in 1991.
Away from the office, he enjoys spending time with his wife, the former Alyce Lee Cocchiara, and four children: Kyle, Craig, Chris, and Connie. | 