KNOXVILLE – The Tennessee Valley Authority today announced the appointment of David Fountain as senior vice president and vice general counsel. He will officially join TVA on June 1.

In this newly created role, Fountain will oversee the administrative and operational functions of the Office of General Counsel, as well as lead TVA’s litigation, enterprise records and ethics and compliance efforts. He will report to Sherry Quirk, TVA’s General Counsel.

“As the energy and environmental landscapes rapidly evolve, it’s more critical than ever to ensure the highest levels of legal counsel and guidance are available to assist with TVA’s vital mission,” said Quirk. “David’s 20-plus years of legal and leadership experience within the utility industry further strengthens our organization and improves our abilities.”

Fountain is currently Duke Energy’s senior vice president, legal, chief ethics and compliance officer and corporate secretary. In that role, he oversees communication with the company’s board of directors to ensure they remain apprised of corporate governance and compliance matters.

Previously, Fountain served as Duke Energy’s North Carolina president, serving approx. 3.3 million electricity customers and 717,000 natural gas customers. He coordinated the company’s response to hurricanes Matthew in 2016 and Florence in 2018.

While serving in a former role as vice president of Progress Energy’s legal department, Fountain oversaw all regulatory approvals associated with Progress’ merger with Duke Energy in 2012.

Fountain holds Juris Doctor, Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He remains active with UNC as an Energy Advisory Board member of the University’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, as well as serving on the boards of the Shepherds Table Soup Kitchen in Raleigh and the Alexander YMCA.

“TVA is a recognized leader in the utility industry in many areas, and I am honored to have the opportunity to assist with its historic mission of service to the Tennessee Valley,” said Fountain.

The Tennessee Valley Authority is a corporate agency of the United States that provides electricity for business customers and local power companies serving nearly 10 million people in parts of seven southeastern states. TVA receives no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. In addition to operating and investing its revenues in its electric system, TVA provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system, and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation.