Chris Lesmes

Editor
DISC Type : CS

Managing Director, Origination & Structured Finance at Duke Energy Corporation

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Overview

Chris Lesmes is a Managing Director at Duke Energy Corporation, specializing in origination and structured finance for the energy sector. He co-leads the Energy Services business unit, focusing on investments in distributed generation and resiliency projects. A Cornell MBA graduate, colleagues have noted his charismatic leadership and ability to delegate effectively.

He is a decorated combat veteran of the U. S. Air Force, where he served as a Captain in special operations aviation. He completed six tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and was actively involved in veterans associations while at Cornell. In college, he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.

Unique fact: Chris flew on the AC-130U gunship as part of the 4th Special Operations Squadron.

Personality Overview

Slow Buyer

Sometimes Friendly

Late Adopter

The only way to convince them is by showing them examples and ample proof.  They are heavily focused on quality and prefer doing things the right way, even if it takes time. Being observant comes to them naturally.

Topics They Care About

Energy Infrastructure
Leads investments in distributed generation, resiliency, and electrical infrastructure projects, and represents Duke Energy before public service commissions.
Structured Finance
Has extensive experience in structured and project finance across the renewables, power, utilities, and midstream oil & gas sectors.
Startup Investing
While at Cornell, he served as COO for the BR Venture Fund, expressing interest in technology, healthcare, and energy focused start-up companies.

Media Appearances

Chris has no verified media appearances

Work History

5-2025
Managing Director, Origination & Structured Finance at Duke Energy Corporation
6-2022 - 5-2025
Director, Structured Finance at Duke Energy Corporation
7-2019 - 6-2022
Vice President, Energy & Natural Resources at Regions Bank
7-2016 - 7-2019
Vice President at Clean Source Capital
6-2015 - 7-2016
Vice President at Finance of America Commercial

Education

2012 - 2014
Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management
2000 - 2004
Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

More Information

Social Presence :

Prographics :

Exp : 11 Location : Charlotte, North Carolina, United States Job Level : Mid-senior Designation : Managing Director, Origination & Structured Finance at Duke Energy Corporation
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Insights For Selling To Chris

During A Call Or A Meeting

DO's

  • Share a one-off customer success story but keeps the focus on highlighting objective, numerical results
  • Use phrases like 'results based on data', 'measurable proof', 'X% growth' etc.
  • Preferably use email to follow up with them instead of phone or Linkedin, engage by asking question or opinions

DONT's

  • Give it some time before you try to build rapport and a relationship, it doesn't come to them naturally
  • Avoid phrases like ‘trust me’, ‘you will just love it’ etc.
  • Don't ask them to move fast, let them take their time and digest all the information

When Cold Calling

When Writing An Email

While Negotiating & Closing

    The secret to closing fast with Chris is

  • Low-risk, adoption by others are very important to them, followed by confidence in ROI.
  • Will you ever get a clear answer from Chris

  • Often, they don't say no, or keep going about it in circles.

Insights For Deal Planning

    How fast (or slow) will Chris move?

  • They do not like to rush and therefore can be quite slow in their decision-making.
  • Can Chris take some risk or not?

  • They have little risk-appetite and prefer to take measured decisions.

You And Chris

Personality Compatibility


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