NRG People Power: Get to know David Sopko

In our NRG People Power series, we introduce the people behind our products, and the knowledge and experience that means you are in good hands when you choose NRG for your energy supply. Across the United States, our people live and work in your communities, and care about supporting your business needs, as your neighbor. In this feature, we visit the Midwest and get to know our Sales Manager for Midwest U.S. Structured Sales, Dave Sopko.

Dave Sopko is a native Ohioan and his pride in his home state shows. Born and raised in the “Buckeye State,” he stayed close to home as an adult, studying finance and marketing at Ohio State University. He began his career in the energy industry in 1991 with Energy Marketing Services, which was later acquired by Ashland Energy Services in 2000.  Dave and his wife Laurie reside in Dublin, Ohio where they raised four beautiful children, Emma, Matthew, Olivia, and Luke.

The shape and face of the industry evolved around him as Ashland became Delta Energy, then Delta became part of Hess Energy Marketing, and eventually Direct Energy acquired Hess Energy Marketing in 2013. Dave landed at NRG when they acquired Direct Energy in January 2021, and although the company is Houston-based, Dave’s Ohio roots still run deep, and he happily calls the Dublin office his home base.

A big sports fan, and self-described long-suffering Cleveland Browns supporter, Dave enjoys golfing and is an avid walker of the beloved family pet, a yellow lab Zeke. Dave truly is your next-door neighbor. His Midwest warmth and down-to-earth demeanor make what can be daunting conversations and decisions about energy choices easy and enjoyable. And his deep-rooted experience with and knowledge of local communities make him ideally suited to assess and serve the energy needs of our customers and their businesses in the American heartland.

Dave believes his education in finance and marketing aligns well with energy sales. Given the current financial environment and the ever-changing energy markets, Dave and his team are strategically positioned across the Midwest (OH, IN, IL, WI, MI, KY) to serve the full spectrum of our business customers. From the largest steel manufacturing facilities, glass makers, and automotive manufacturers, to bustling school districts and busy healthcare systems, Dave and his team support businesses of all sizes.

The team is comprised of 12 account executives, whose blend of energy industry veterans and young professionals new to the team provides a great mix of experience and fresh perspectives for the 78,000 sites they serve across the region.

Dave describes himself as a traditional values kind of guy; he loved watching the cowboy drama “Yellowstone,” enjoys a good steak dinner in Dublin, and is pumped up for his son Luke’s senior high school football season this fall.

His sense of tradition spills over to his approach to sales and customer support. “Our sales and sales support teams always put the customer first, which tends to pay dividends in the end.”

It’s important to Dave and his team of account executives that they assess each customer’s unique needs - getting to know them on a personal level that sometimes gets lost in the lightning-fast, high-tech world of business.

When asked about what sets NRG apart from its competitors, Dave didn’t skip a beat, answering confidently. “That’s easy – it’s choices. It’s products. It’s budget management. It’s working with advisors who are there to help our clients make educated energy purchasing decisions with predictable outcomes.” For prospective businesses considering a switch, it’s as simple as reaching out to Dave’s team, who can assess their objectives and how best to fulfill them and provide advisory services tailored to their regional and business needs.

Selling an intangible product like power or gas relies heavily on trust. “It can be hard to sell something that can’t be seen, or that you only notice when it’s not working,” Dave said, “Our value proposition really becomes our people. We win business when our clients are pleased with the team, those who possess the expertise you can trust, and those who will deliver on promises, save you money, and support your energy goals.”

In these uncertain times, that’s a square deal customers can truly rely on.

If you’re in the Midwest and want to learn more about how Dave’s team can help you manage the risk of energy price volatility, we’re here to help.

David Sopko

Sales Manager, Ohio

David.Sopko@nrg.com

Mobile: 614-638-4784