In a world increasingly shaped by technology, Stephen Heiman has never lost sight of the power of human connection.
Those who know him often say he has never met a stranger. At Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), that natural ability to connect with people has become central to his role as a project director overseeing solar and battery energy storage projects across the state.
“One of the best parts of this job is getting to interact with so many people outside the company,” Heiman said. “They bring different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, and that’s incredibly valuable.”
Heiman spends much of his time traveling across Florida, visiting communities where FPL is developing new infrastructure to help support the electric grid. For him, success starts long before construction begins.
“It’s about having a genuine connection,” he said. “That goes a long way in building rapport and trust in these communities.”
Before he begins any project, Heiman meets with neighbors, farmers and local stakeholders. Whether it’s walking the fields with them or sharing a coffee at their kitchen table, he takes a keen interest in every person’s unique story.
“I love hearing what’s important to people, how they view their community and how land has historically been used. This is an essential part of how we design our projects,” Heiman said. “You have to understand all points of view to make a project successful and something both the company and the community can be proud of.”
As a fifth-generation Floridian, Heiman has a personal stake in the state’s future.
“This is home,” he said. “I take pride in Florida and want to see it continue to thrive; to be a place my kids can grow up and enjoy.”
Meeting the electricity needs of Florida’s growing population requires ongoing investment in new technologies, including battery energy storage. Heiman has played a key role in deploying battery systems across the state, which store excess energy for use when demand is highest and help strengthen the power grid.
“I feel like I’m helping shape Florida’s future,” he said. “Not just for my family, but for the state as a whole.”
Battery energy storage is an important component of FPL’s diverse energy mix, helping the company deliver some of America’s most reliable electricity while keeping customer bills well below the national average. The technology allows FPL to store excess energy – whether its generated from solar, natural gas or nuclear power plants – and deploy it when demand is at its highest, helping strengthen the power grid and make it more flexible to customer needs. By the end of the year, FPL plans to add enough battery capacity to serve more than one million homes for four hours during periods of peak demand.
Heiman takes pride in seeing these projects become part of the communities where they are built.
“I want people to be able to say, ‘I helped build this,’” he said. “And to feel proud knowing it’s contributing to their community.”
Clear, consistent communication is critical throughout every phase of development, and Heiman considers education a vital part of the process.
“A lot of it comes down to helping people understand what these projects mean on a broader scale,” he said. “How batteries will help us better serve them and the state over the long term.”
For Heiman, the work ultimately comes back to family and a sense of responsibility to the generations that follow.
“My kids are my world,” he said. “And I know most families feel the same way. I feel a personal responsibility to help set the future up for their success.”
Through every conversation, plan and project, Heiman continues to lead with connection, building trust today while helping power Florida for years to come.