The disposition of an energy man

On Sept. 16, Dean G. "Anand" Anandalingam's "CEO@Smith" program started off with the CEO of Maryland-based Constellation Energy, Mayo Shattuck.

Shattuck, whose online resume may take longer to read than your average philosophy homework, joined Constellation Energy in 2001 as the CEO of the company. Matt Bromiley, a junior Information Systems and Finance major at the school, came to the event not as a requirement, not because he was pushed to but simply because "the guy's got a ridiculous track record."

Once the speech started, it became apparent to Bromley and other students that Shattuck was going to emphasize running a company in the highly regulated energy business. According to Shattuck, Constellation Energy is the top taxpayer in Maryland and is always in the cross hairs of Maryland politics. He spent roughly two-thirds of his speech talking about the current climate of the energy business regarding all aspects commercial, residential and political.

Drew Carroll, a finance and accounting major, summarized this part of Shattuck's speech as how he and the energy industry will go about attaining their goals in the next 100 years. However, Carroll said he wished that Shattuck spoke more on the financial aspect of his company, namely the economic crisis in 2008.

It wasn't until that last one-third that Shattuck concentrated on the ins and outs of being a CEO. The students in the room visibly and audibly leaned forward in their seats to finally get what they had come for. Shattuck laid down some heavy ethical advice.

"Management is doing things right and leadership is doing the right thing," said Shattuck, who spoke of taking risks for the good of your company and on the misconceptions people have of big business CEOs.

Alina Kasprik, a junior at the business school, praised Shattuck for being down to earth. Carroll tended to agree with Kasprik and came away feeling that CEO's were just regular people too.

Bromiley was impressed and satisfied Shattuck.

"He's an energy man," Bromiley said.