Dee Dee Fuller Announces Retirement After 41 Years of Service  

After more than four decades, Dee Dee Fuller has announced her retirement from Advanced Energy, though her impact on our operations, systems and culture will be felt for years to come. 

Dee Dee joined Advanced Energy in November 1984 as a part-time receptionist while attending Durham Technical Community College to study computer science. But what began as a temporary role quickly became the start of a lifelong career. 

Following her graduation in 1988, Dee Dee transitioned to full-time work and steadily progressed from secretary and receptionist to program secretary for our industrial and agricultural initiatives to corporate services administrator.  

Eventually, she stepped into the technology space and was our sole IT professional for years. In 2018, she added accounting manager to her responsibilities, coordinating financial systems and processes. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from East Carolina University in 2020.  

Throughout her career, Dee Dee led the evolution of technology at our organization. From typewriters and carbon paper to coaxial cable networks and floppy disk backups, she embraced each challenge with curiosity and determination. She recalled the particular excitement of moving to NC State University’s Centennial Campus in 1996 and gaining internet access.  

“One of the things I loved about IT is that I never came to work and did the same thing every day. The challenges always kept it interesting,” she said. 

Dee Dee’s path was shaped by influential mentors, including Cyndi Thomason, our former vice president; Dr. Robert Koger, our former president; and Brian Coble, our current president. Each supported her development and inspired her leadership. She, in turn, mentored others, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, pulling together and having each other’s backs.  

When asked what she’ll miss most, Dee Dee pointed to the people. “Helping people and being able to make a difference, that’s what kept me going all these years,” she said. Indeed, her passion has always been helping others learn and solve problems. 

While she’ll continue consulting with Advanced Energy for a time, Dee Dee looks forward to retiring the long commute from Roxboro to Raleigh and diving into new adventures. Her plans include visiting all 50 states (already over halfway there) and traveling with her husband in their motor home, spending time with her granddaughter and embarking on a cruise in 2026. 

Reflecting on her career, Dee Dee encourages new employees to recognize the value of Advanced Energy’s mission and to take pride in being part of a team that makes a difference not only in North Carolina but across the country.  

“Advanced Energy offers so much more than just a salary,” she said. “It’s a place where you can grow, contribute to a worthy mission, and be proud of the work you do.” 

Please join us in congratulating Dee Dee on her retirement and celebrating her extraordinary contributions to Advanced Energy. We wish her the very best in this exciting new chapter of life.