Richard “Stick” Williams retired December 31, 2015 from Duke Energy Corporation. At the time of his retirement, he served as Vice President ("VP") of Corporate Community Affairs at Duke Energy Corporation and President of the Duke Energy Foundation.Over his 37-year career at Duke Energy Corporation, he held various leadership roles which included SVP of Environmental, Health & Safety, VP of Enterprise Field Services, VP of Diversity & Talent Management, VP of Diversity, Ethics & Compliance and Chief Compliance Officer, and VP of Business & Community Relations.

Williams also worked three years for Arthur Andersen & Co. where he earned his CPA. The Greensboro, N.C. native graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.

Williams currently serves on the boards of Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.(COKE)(Compensation Committee)and HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc.(HTBI)(Vice Chair and Independent Lead Director, chairs the Executive Committee and theGovernance and Nominating Committee,and member of the Compensation Committee).He also serves on the boards of NACD-Carolinas Chapter, Atrium HealthCare, Central Piedmont Community College, the Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology and Science, and The Good Fellows Club.In addition, he has served on various other boards throughout his career, including UNC Chapel Hill -Board of Trustees (Chair), Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce (Chair), UNC General Alumni Association (Chair), Durham Chamber of Commerce (Chair), Greater Charlotte YMCA (Chair), The Mint Museum (Chair), and Bank of Commerce.

Williams was named one of 2015's "Heroes of the Fortune 500" for good works by employees of the nation's largest companies. Fortune magazine recognized Mr.Williams for his leadership in the Project LIFT initiative. North Carolina's Governor also conferred the Order of the Long Leaf Pine onMr. Williams, one of North Carolina's most prestigious honors.

Stick Williams was born in 1953. He and his wife, Teresa, have three daughters and one grandchild.