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For Crystal Lilly Pruitt, leadership is about more than professional advancement. It's an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the community she calls home.
The St. Petersburg native has taken on a new leadership role at Tampa Electric, serving as regional affairs manager for the utility company's Storm Protection Program, a multiyear initiative designed to strengthen the electric grid and improve reliability during severe weather.
A Hometown Connection
The opportunity to help strengthen Tampa Bay's infrastructure also carries personal significance. Pruitt graduated from Lakewood High School. She earned her bachelor's degree from Eckerd College and an MBA from Nova Southeastern University.
Growing up in St. Petersburg has given her a firsthand understanding of the communities TECO serves.
“It’s an opportunity for me to connect with community stakeholders and to inspire others who may be interested in leadership roles or roles within an energy company,” she said.
Strengthening Communities Before the Next Storm
As Florida communities continue to face the threat of hurricanes and other types of severe weather, strengthening the region's electrical infrastructure remains a priority. Through its Storm Protection Program, TECO is investing in projects that include strengthening power grids against severe weather, trimming trees and relocating electrical lines underground where feasible.
In her new role, Pruitt will oversee activities supporting the program, making sure customers are informed about the work, helping advance initiatives intended to make the electric system more resilient and minimize outages during bad weather.
“We anticipate that when we have those storm seasons to make sure that things are reliable, that we … ‘Keep the lights on,’” Pruitt added. “It is an opportunity to keep neighbors informed and educated around the work that we’re doing across the Tampa Bay market.”
The program also brings to light important questions about how infrastructure improvements will affect their neighborhoods, particularly communities that have historically experienced challenges with aging infrastructure and storm recovery.
“We’ve got old infrastructure, so we’re placing wooden poles with steel poles, we’re doing undergrounding in certain areas,” said Pruitt. “It’s a great opportunity to improve the system, the grid, making sure that we have the improved, sustainable infrastructure in place.”
Breaking Barriers and Building a Legacy
Despite clean energy becoming one of the fastest growing industries, according to a report from Economy and Environment, women make up less than 30% in clean energy jobs and Black women account for less than 10% of that number.
Pruitt says specifically for Black women, there are many careers in the energy industry to pursue.
“If you’d had asked me 15 years ago about a career in energy, it wasn’t even on top of minds,” said Pruitt. “But there have been others who’ve come before me, who have inspired me to pursue a career in energy.”
Pruitt added that many skills are in demand for women of color.
“There’s a lot of skills that are needed, whether it's engineering, communications, construction, project management, there’s so many careers that women — women of color — can pursue and certainly be successful and move towards leadership.”
Before joining TECO, Pruitt served as senior transmission stakeholder engagement manager for Duke Energy Florida, where she supported major transmission and grid modernization projects across the state. Her professional background also includes senior communications and public affairs positions with Sarasota County government, Hillsborough County government and Pinellas County Schools.
"Crystal has strong experience managing grid modernization projects and a true understanding of the unique needs of our region," said Stephanie Smith, vice president of state and regional affairs at Tampa Electric, in a company news release. "Her deep roots in Tampa Bay position her well to anticipate and respond to the needs of our customers, especially when storms hit."
Inspiring Future Leaders
Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Pruitt has established herself as a community leader committed to service and education. She is actively involved in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, The Links, Incorporated, and Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated. Pruitt also serves as an adjunct instructor at St. Petersburg College, teaching business communications.
As she begins her tenure at Tampa Electric, Pruitt hopes that her work will open the door for others to follow.
“I hope that I will inspire others that come behind me to know that it’s possible,” said Pruitt. “It’s possible to lead. For that little girl or young woman who’s thinking about leadership, specifically in an energy industry. I hope that I will inspire just as others have inspired me and inspire others to come behind me and continue soaring in leadership roles.”
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