David B. Fountain

With more than thirty years of legal and executive leadership, David Fountain works with Smith Anderson’s Business, Energy, Regulatory and Public Policy, and Real Estate Development groups, guiding clients through a range of strategic, regulatory, and governance matters. Drawing on firsthand insight gained in senior positions at two of the country’s largest energy organizations, Duke Energy and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), David helps highly regulated companies navigate complex legal, regulatory, and governance challenges with confidence and clarity.

David brings a wealth of experience from his most recent position as executive vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary at TVA, the nation’s largest public power provider serving 10 million people across seven states. At TVA, he advised the CEO, executive management team, and board on numerous legal, regulatory, governance, and compliance matters. Under his leadership, TVA became the first federal agency recognized as an Ethics Compliance Leader by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices. Prior to TVA, David spent two decades at Duke Energy and its legacy companies, Progress Energy and CP&L, where he served in senior leadership roles including North Carolina president and senior vice president — legal, chief ethics and compliance officer and corporate secretary.

Raised in the Piedmont Triad and a proud triple Tar Heel, David's commitment to his home state extends well beyond the office. He believes that strong communities and strong businesses go hand in hand, and that belief is reflected in David’s longstanding dedication to civic and nonprofit leadership across the state. That connection extends to his alma mater as well, where he continues to serve as a founding member of the Energy Center Advisory Board at UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School. When he is not working or giving back, David most enjoys spending time with Lucy, his wife of nearly 35 years, and their three daughters.

Recognition

• Triangle Business Journal
  • CEO of the Year Award (2017)
  • Outstanding Corporate Counsel Award (2014)

Education

• University of North Carolina School of Law, J.D., 1994
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, M.B.A., 1994
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., 1989
  • Morehead-Cain Scholar

Bar & Court Admissions

• Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen (2012-present)
  • Chair (2026 – present)
• North Carolina Chamber
  • Board Member (2015-2020)
  • Chair (2018)
• Leadership North Carolina
  • Advisory Board (2015-2019)
  • Chair, Advisory Board (2016-2018)
  • Graduate of Leadership North Carolina Class 15 (2008)
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Energy Center Advisory Board, Kenan-Flagler Business School (2015-present)
  • Ambassador, Board of Visitors (2019-2022)
• North Carolina Bar Association
• Wake County Bar Association
• Advisory Board, YMCA of the Triangle (2016-2022)
  • Alexander YMCA
    • Chair, Advisory Board (2019-2020)
    • Advisory Board (2010-2020)
    • Chair, We Build People Annual Campaign (2014-2015)
• Marbles’ Kids Museum
  • Chair, Advisory Board (2011-2012)
  • Advisory Board (2007-2013)
• Advisory Board, Dix Park Conservancy (2017-2020)
• Advisory Board, United Way of Greater Knoxville (2022-2025)