Charles William Duncan Jr. (September 9, 1926 – October 18, 2022) was an American businessman, administrator, and politician best known for serving as U.S. Secretary of Energy in the Cabinet of President Jimmy Carter from 1979 to 1981.

[6] In 1974, Duncan left Coca-Cola to head back to Houston, where he became the chairman of both Rotan Mosle Financial Corp. and Robertson Distribution Systems.

[1] The Iranian Revolution occurred during his tenure, encompassing political changes that marked that nation's transformation from a monarchy under the pro-western Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to a so-called republic under the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Duncan's duties involved multiple trips to several countries, including Iran, some of which were undergoing considerable turmoil.

[7] The appointment drew some criticism,[11] as Duncan had little experience in the oil business, but he developed the reputation of a strong manager.

[12] Duncan imposed quotas on oil imports, encouraged weatherization of homes, and obtained subsidies for gasohol, helping to mitigate the worst impacts of the energy shortage.

[1] Leaving Washington DC at the end of Carter's term, Charles Duncan again returned to Houston, in January 1981.

He also served on the boards of The Coca-Cola Company, J. P. Morgan Chase, Texas Eastern, American Express, United Technologies, and more.

Duncan also served as Limited Partner of Houston NFL Holdings, LP [13] and as treasurer and director of The Methodist Hospital.

He twice led the search for a university president, lobbied for the recruitment of international students, and helped establish the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, a nonpartisan think-tank.