Robert B. McGehee (March 19, 1943 – October 9, 2007) Robert B. McGehee was chairman and chief executive officer of Progress Energy. He became chief executive officer on March 1, 2004, and chairman on May 12, 2004. McGehee was president and chief operating officer from October 2002 to March 2004. He died of a stroke while on a business trip in London.