Some major leadership changes announced today at Akron-based FirstEnergy Corporation as several managers were promoted to new positions within the company.
News Release From FirstEnergy
AKRON, Ohio – FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) today announced a series of leadership changes in its Finance and Generation organizations that expand roles and responsibilities for key executives as part of the company’s succession planning strategy.
Effective August 1, 2012, James F. Pearson, vice president and treasurer, has been promoted to senior vice president and treasurer. He will continue reporting to Mark T. Clark, executive vice president and chief financial officer. In his new role, he will
oversee the Accounting function in addition to his existing responsibility for Business Development, Treasury, Investor Relations, FirstEnergy Solutions Finance, and Integrated Systems Planning and Development.
Bennett L. Gaines, vice president, Corporate Services and chief information officer, has been named senior vice president, Corporate Services and chief information officer. Gaines will continue reporting to Clark. His responsibilities include Information Technology (IT), Supply Chain, Corporate Security and Flight Operations.
In related moves, Steven R. Staub, formerly assistant treasurer, has been promoted to executive director and assistant treasurer, reporting to Pearson.
James Whitley, director, Corporate Security and Information Technology (IT) Compliance, has
been named executive director, Corporate Security and IT Compliance, and will continue reporting to Gaines.
In other changes, Gary D. Benz, executive director, business development, has been promoted to vice president, Supply Chain, reporting to Gaines. Current Supply Chain vice president John W. Judge will become vice president, Corporate Risk and chief
risk officer, reporting to Clark and overseeing Credit, Enterprise Risk Management, Insurance Risk and Risk Control.
“The extensive FirstEnergy and industry experience of each of these individuals will help us continue the implementation of our successful strategy and enhance the performance of our company as a whole,” said Clark.
Judge succeeds William D. Byrd, who will retire effective September 1, 2012. In his 35-year career with the company, Byrd has held numerous management positions in Rates, Advanced Engineering and Planning, Wholesale Marketing, and FirstEnergy Trading. Before being named to his current position in 2007, Byrd served as director of
Rate Strategy. “Bill’s contribution to FirstEnergy has been significant, particularly during the past decade when the company and industry faced unprecedented change,” said Clark. “We all will miss his insights, his honesty and his willingness to tackle any challenge. At the same time, I have every confidence in John’s ability to continue managing this important part of our company.”
Within FirstEnergy Generation, Raymond L. Evans, executive director, Environmental, has been promoted to vice president, Environmental. He will continue reporting to James H. Lash, president, FirstEnergy Generation and chief nuclear officer. Evans oversees the company’s Environmental Field Operations, Remediation and Governance, and Water and Air Quality programs.
