The EnergyUnited leadership team consists of eight executive level employees and over 20 managers from across the cooperative. These individuals have a variety of responsibilities related to the departments they manage and are ultimately responsible for the daily operations and success of the cooperative. Together, with the support of over 260 employees, we work to keep our communities empowered day in and day out.
Our executive team is led by our Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Golden, who’s leadership team includes our Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Human Resource Officer, Vice President of Information Technology, Vice President of Energy Delivery, and Vice President of Energy Services & Corporate Communications. To learn more about these individuals, please click on their photos to read their bios.
We encourage you to reach out to our leadership team anytime with questions or suggestions. Your feedback is vital and helps shape all of our member-focused initiatives.
Chief Executive OfficerThomas Golden
Thomas Golden is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of EnergyUnited. He is responsible for overseeing the cooperative’s strategic vision, operational success and commitment to our members. His primary focus is ensuring we provide safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy solutions to the communities we serve. He leads the cooperative’s strategic vision, operational success, and member commitment. Thomas works closely with the board of directors and leadership team to ensure decisions align with cooperative principles and deliver value to members.
Thomas earned his undergraduate degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he pursued a dual major in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics. He later earned an MBA from Wake Forest University.
His leadership stems from his service in the U.S. Navy, where he served as both an enlisted member and officer, in active duty and reserves. He also held leadership roles in the energy sector, focusing on operational efficiency, strategic planning and member engagement.
Thomas enjoys spending time with his wife and three boys, and staying active in the community. He is passionate about soccer, both as a fan of Charlotte FC and as a father supporting his sons’ involvement in the sport.
Executive Team
Brett Alkins
Chief Operating Officer
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Brett Alkins is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at EnergyUnited, overseeing diverse teams across operations, engineering, member support, technology and communications. Brett’s role is pivotal in ensuring the cooperative delivers safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy while positioning the organization for future energy demands and industry changes. Brett prioritizes member satisfaction and engagement, and drives initiatives to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption and economic development.
Brett holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Clemson University.
Since joining EnergyUnited in 2015, Brett has held various leadership roles, including Director of Sales & Marketing and Vice President of Energy Services. His background includes leadership positions in business development with global organizations like Caterpillar Inc., Johnson Matthey PLC and Clean Energy Fuels Corp. With diverse experience across energy materials and manufacturing, he has led high-profile teams and projects globally that have delivered sustainable growth.
Brett is an active member of Rotary and serves on the East Carolina University Honors College Advisory Committee. He lives in the Lake Norman area of Charlotte with his wife and three sons.
Brett holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Clemson University.
Since joining EnergyUnited in 2015, Brett has held various leadership roles, including Director of Sales & Marketing and Vice President of Energy Services. His background includes leadership positions in business development with global organizations like Caterpillar Inc., Johnson Matthey PLC and Clean Energy Fuels Corp. With diverse experience across energy materials and manufacturing, he has led high-profile teams and projects globally that have delivered sustainable growth.
Brett is an active member of Rotary and serves on the East Carolina University Honors College Advisory Committee. He lives in the Lake Norman area of Charlotte with his wife and three sons.
Pam Britt
Chief Human Resources Officer
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Pam Britt is the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at EnergyUnited. She leads the development and execution of the cooperative’s human resources strategy, ensuring alignment with the business plan and strategic direction. Pam partners with the Executive Team to ensure that programs, budgets and practices enhance the employee experience and help deliver excellent service to members.
Originally from Jacksonville, FL, Pam holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management and a Master’s in Business Administration.
Pam brings over 25 years of HR experience with a reputation for building productive partnerships with executives and organizational leaders. She has led comprehensive HR programs, services and functions, strengthening staff development.
Pam lives in Statesville and has two daughters. She is active in the Society for Human Resource Management, United Way, Habitat for Humanity and the American Red Cross.
Originally from Jacksonville, FL, Pam holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management and a Master’s in Business Administration.
Pam brings over 25 years of HR experience with a reputation for building productive partnerships with executives and organizational leaders. She has led comprehensive HR programs, services and functions, strengthening staff development.
Pam lives in Statesville and has two daughters. She is active in the Society for Human Resource Management, United Way, Habitat for Humanity and the American Red Cross.
STEVEN McCACHERN
Vice President
Energy Delivery
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Steve McCachern serves as the Vice President of Energy Delivery at EnergyUnited. He is responsible for the operations, engineering, fleet, and facilities of the cooperative.
Steve ensures his team has the resources, skills and equipment needed to restore power safely and efficiently. Steve is a graduate of UNC Charlotte with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He has been a licensed professional engineer in North Carolina since 1993.
With 36 years at EnergyUnited, Steve has held roles such as System Engineer, Technical Services Coordinator, Director of Engineering, and Region Line Manager. His career began with an internship at Duke Energy, and his first job was mowing grass around substations for Duke Energy in high school. He has truly been around the energy industry in North Carolina his entire life.
Steve and his wife live in Mooresville and have two grown sons.
Steve ensures his team has the resources, skills and equipment needed to restore power safely and efficiently. Steve is a graduate of UNC Charlotte with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He has been a licensed professional engineer in North Carolina since 1993.
With 36 years at EnergyUnited, Steve has held roles such as System Engineer, Technical Services Coordinator, Director of Engineering, and Region Line Manager. His career began with an internship at Duke Energy, and his first job was mowing grass around substations for Duke Energy in high school. He has truly been around the energy industry in North Carolina his entire life.
Steve and his wife live in Mooresville and have two grown sons.
Alec Natt
Chief Financial Officer
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Alec Natt is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for EnergyUnited in Statesville, NC. Serving in this role since 2000, Alec is an integral member of the Executive Leadership Team, overseeing finance and accounting operations for the cooperative. Additionally, he is responsible for coordinating and monitoring the cooperative’s power supply portfolio, managing risk, overseeing government relations and contract reviews.
Alec is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and a graduate of Drexel University in Philadelphia.
Before joining EnergyUnited, Alec worked in public accounting from 1982 to 1990 before going on to serve as the CFO and Controller for a bookbinding/digital imaging company until 1998. Alec also acted as the CFO for a federal contracting company from 1998 to 2000. Alec’s broad financial experience is an asset to the cooperative’s growth and stability.
Alec resides in Mooresville with his wife. He has two grown children.
Alec is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and a graduate of Drexel University in Philadelphia.
Before joining EnergyUnited, Alec worked in public accounting from 1982 to 1990 before going on to serve as the CFO and Controller for a bookbinding/digital imaging company until 1998. Alec also acted as the CFO for a federal contracting company from 1998 to 2000. Alec’s broad financial experience is an asset to the cooperative’s growth and stability.
Alec resides in Mooresville with his wife. He has two grown children.
LaQuisha Parks
Vice President
Energy Services and Corporate Communications
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LaQuisha Parks is the Vice President of Energy Services and Corporate Communications at EnergyUnited, the largest electric cooperative in North Carolina. She leads diverse teams in customer care, billing, economic development, marketing, sales and corporate communications, focusing on improving efficiencies and member satisfaction. LaQuisha is also responsible for the cooperative’s brand strategy, ensuring its community commitment through the EnergyUnited Foundation.
LaQuisha is a strategic operations executive with more than 20 years of experience in energy and utility operations, having held leadership roles in engineering, operations and customer experience at Duke Energy. She was the first African American female Operations Manager and later served as General Manager of Customer Operations. As an executive leader, she was responsible for improving the customer experience and strengthening brand presence across five states.
LaQuisha is from Gastonia and graduated from North Carolina A&T State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. She holds an MBA from Pfeiffer University and serves on various boards, including the Board of Advisors of the Energy Production & Infrastructure Center at UNC Charlotte, the Board of Visitors at NC A&T and the Economic Development Commission of Iredell County.
LaQuisha and her husband, Thomas, have a grown daughter. In her free time, she enjoys interior design, baking and community service, particularly with her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha.
LaQuisha is a strategic operations executive with more than 20 years of experience in energy and utility operations, having held leadership roles in engineering, operations and customer experience at Duke Energy. She was the first African American female Operations Manager and later served as General Manager of Customer Operations. As an executive leader, she was responsible for improving the customer experience and strengthening brand presence across five states.
LaQuisha is from Gastonia and graduated from North Carolina A&T State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. She holds an MBA from Pfeiffer University and serves on various boards, including the Board of Advisors of the Energy Production & Infrastructure Center at UNC Charlotte, the Board of Visitors at NC A&T and the Economic Development Commission of Iredell County.
LaQuisha and her husband, Thomas, have a grown daughter. In her free time, she enjoys interior design, baking and community service, particularly with her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha.
Ryan Gardner
Vice President
Information Technology
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Ryan Gardner is the Vice President of Information Technology (IT) at EnergyUnited. He leads IT strategy, focusing on cybersecurity and system reliability. Ryan ensures that IT operations align with the cooperative’s goals to enhance the security, affordability and reliability of energy services.
Ryan joined the U.S. Army at 18, where he trained in IT and telecommunications. He later earned degrees in Network Administration (A.A.S.) and Computer Information Systems (CIS) from Forsyth Tech and Gardner-Webb University, with an MBA from Wake Forest University in 2017.
Ryan has a broad technical background, serving in IT roles across healthcare, telecommunications and manufacturing industries. He has led remote teams and managed complex IT projects, progressing from Director of Managed Services to Vice President of IT.
Ryan has two sons. He enjoys coaching youth sports and is active in educational advisory boards. Outside of work, Ryan enjoys sports, music and being a present Dad.
Ryan joined the U.S. Army at 18, where he trained in IT and telecommunications. He later earned degrees in Network Administration (A.A.S.) and Computer Information Systems (CIS) from Forsyth Tech and Gardner-Webb University, with an MBA from Wake Forest University in 2017.
Ryan has a broad technical background, serving in IT roles across healthcare, telecommunications and manufacturing industries. He has led remote teams and managed complex IT projects, progressing from Director of Managed Services to Vice President of IT.
Ryan has two sons. He enjoys coaching youth sports and is active in educational advisory boards. Outside of work, Ryan enjoys sports, music and being a present Dad.
ROY McDONALD
General Counsel
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Roy McDonald serves as General Counsel for EnergyUnited, where he provides strategic legal counsel to the Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors while overseeing all aspects of the cooperative’s legal affairs.
In his role as General Counsel, Roy is responsible for corporate governance, regulatory compliance, risk management, litigation oversight, intellectual property, contracts, mergers and acquisitions and employment matters. He develops and implements legal strategies aligned with EnergyUnited’s strategic objectives, ensures compliance with applicable laws and ethical standards and manages both outside counsel and the internal legal team.
Prior to becoming General Counsel, Roy represented EnergyUnited in private practice as outside counsel for 18 years. He is a graduate of Wake Forest University School of Law and Guilford College and has served as President of the Davidson County Bar, State Bar Counselor for Judicial District 33 and member of the Davidson County Board of Elections.
He also served as an Infantryman in the United States Marine Corps and as a Judge Advocate in the United States Army Reserve.
In his role as General Counsel, Roy is responsible for corporate governance, regulatory compliance, risk management, litigation oversight, intellectual property, contracts, mergers and acquisitions and employment matters. He develops and implements legal strategies aligned with EnergyUnited’s strategic objectives, ensures compliance with applicable laws and ethical standards and manages both outside counsel and the internal legal team.
Prior to becoming General Counsel, Roy represented EnergyUnited in private practice as outside counsel for 18 years. He is a graduate of Wake Forest University School of Law and Guilford College and has served as President of the Davidson County Bar, State Bar Counselor for Judicial District 33 and member of the Davidson County Board of Elections.
He also served as an Infantryman in the United States Marine Corps and as a Judge Advocate in the United States Army Reserve.
