Felicia Howard, a native of Georgetown, became Dominion Energy’s vice president of economic development strategy on Jan. 1, 2021. 

Howard was promoted into the newly created position from her role as vice president of gas operations for Dominion Energy South Carolina. 

She will be responsible for bolstering Dominion Energy’s local, regional and state economic development efforts across all 16 states where the company operates. She’ll be based out of Dominion Energy’s corporate headquarters in Richmond, Virginia.

“To be entrusted with such an important responsibility for both our company and our customers is humbling,” Howard said. “I look forward to developing an even more comprehensive and proactive economic development strategy that will benefit hundreds of thousands of our customers across Dominion Energy’s footprint.”  

Howard came to Dominion Energy through the company’s 2019 merger with SCANA Corp. 

She joined SCANA subsidiary SCE&G in 1992 as a quality advisor in the utility’s fossil and hydro generation business. Over the last 28 years, Howard has held positions in a variety of functional areas, including key accounts, economic development, government affairs, demand-side management and gas operations. She was the first African American woman to hold an officer position within SCE&G.

Just a few days before her promotion was announced, Howard learned that her sister, Elizabeth Rhue, one of Howard’s six siblings, also was promoted to a VP-level position at Sonoco Products Company in Hartsville.  

“Our family is just thrilled that we would both have such exciting news all in the same week,” Howard said. “I think it shows that anything is possible. We’ve both been blessed to achieve results far beyond anything that I would have imagined for myself, and I’m sure she would say the same.”

Howard said her personal and professional experiences have prepared her well for the new opportunity. 

“You meet a lot of people on life’s journey,” she said. “With every experience and every person you encounter, they’re pouring a little bit of themselves into you. I’ve been fortunate that people have poured more good things into me than not. As I’m encountering people, I hope I’m pouring a little bit into them, as well, in a way that benefits them.”

Howard graduated from Andrews High School in Andrews, South Carolina, before earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering and an MBA from the University of South Carolina.