New Opportunities: Anne R. Pramaggiore became president and CEO of ComEd, following the retirement of Frank M. Clark, chairman and CEO since 2005. Pramaggiore joined ComEd in 1998 and most recently held the position of president and COO. In addition, ComEd named Tracie Morris v.p. of human resources. Morris previously served as v.p. of human resources for DeVry Inc.

Great Plains Energy and Kansas City Power & Light chairman and CEO Michael J. Chesser will retire as CEO, effective May 31, 2012. Chesser will remain as a member of the board of directors and serve as its chairman. Terry Bassham, president and COO, will succeed Chesser as CEO. Bassham joined the company in 2005 as executive v.p. and CFO.

Pricelock named electric utility executive Scott D. Wilson to its advisory board. Previously, Wilson was the CFO of El Paso Electric from 2005 to 2009 and also served as executive v.p. and chief administrative officer from 2006 to 2009.

Wisconsin Energy named Susan Martin executive v.p., general counsel and corporate secretary, effective March 1. Martin currently serves as v.p. of corporate secretary and associate general counsel, and will succeed James Fleming, who served as executive v.p. and general counsel since 2006.

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) appointed Edward D. Halpin as its new senior v.p. and chief nuclear officer. Halpin comes to PG&E from his current position as the president, CEO, and chief nuclear officer at STP Nuclear Operating Co.

Balch & Bingham named James H. Miller III of counsel. Miller was an attorney at the firm from 1979 to 1994, and most recently served as chairman, president and CEO of Southern Nuclear Operating Co.

FirstEnergy named Carl J. Bridenbaugh, formerly director of transmission planning and support, as v.p. of transmission. Bridenbaugh joined the company in 1988 as a transmission planning engineer with Ohio Edison.

3TIER named Matthew Hendrickson as its senior director of energy assessment. Hendrickson has managed renewable energy assessment programs since 2003 and previously was director of energy assessment at EDP Renewables.

Puget Sound Energy elected Phil Bussey to the newly created position of senior v.p. and chief customer officer. Bussey was president and CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and before that was PSE’s senior v.p. of corporate affairs.

ITC Holdings named Rejji P. Hayes as treasurer and v.p. of finance. Hayes most recently served as assistant treasurer and director of corporate finance and financial strategy at Exelon.

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) announced a new management alignment for Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Unit 2 and Bellefonte Unit 1. Dave Stinson, v.p. of construction at Watts Bar Unit 2, is moving to Bellefonte to lead engineering, design, and infrastructure planning. Ray Hruby, currently at Bellefonte, will manage overall project work, licensing, and safety at Watts Bar Unit 2. Also, O.J. “Ike” Zeringue, former president and COO and chief nuclear officer at TVA, will join the Watts Bar Unit 2 team as a key project manager.

Boards of Directors: DTE Energy named Charles G. “Chip” McClure to its board of directors. McClure is chairman, president and CEO of Meritor Inc.

PG&E elected Fred J. Fowler to its board of directors and to the board of Pacific Gas and Electric. Fowler is the retired president and CEO of Spectra Energy and is currently chairman of the board of Spectra Energy Partners.

Xcel Energy elected Gail KoziaraBoudreaux to the company’s board of directors. Boudreaux is CEO of United Healthcare, a subsidiary of United Health Group in Minneapolis.

We welcome submissions to People, especially those accompanied by a high-resolution color photograph. E-mail to: people@pur.com.

New Opportunities: Lewis “Lew” Hay III intends to retire from NextEra Energy at the end of 2013 as part of a planned leadership succession process. Hay will serve as executive chairman from July 1, 2012, until his retirement, and James L. Robo, currently president and CEO of NextEra Energy, will succeed Hay as CEO, effective July 1.

PPL elected William H. Spence to chairman of the company, effective April 1. Spence has been serving as CEO and a member of the board of directors since November 2011 and was named president of the company in July 2011. 

PPL named David G. DeCampli as president of PPL Energy Supply and president of PPL Generation. DeCampli was president of PPL Electric Utilities for five years.

American Electric Power named Pablo A. Vegas president and COO of AEP Ohio. Vegas is currently v.p. and chief information officer for the company. He succeeds Joseph Hamrock; who left AEP to become executive v.p. and group CEO for NiSource’s gas distribution segment. Hamrock fills a role that NiSource President and CEO Robert C. Skaggs Jr. held on an interim basis since September 2011.

DPL named Phil Herrington as president and CEO. Herrington was president of global wind generation for the AES Corp.

Pepco Holdings appointed Frederick J. Boyle as senior v.p. and CFO. Boyle was most recently CFO of DPL. He will take over the post from current CFO, Anthony J. Kamerick, who announced he will retire after 41 years with the company. Kamerick will remain at PHI as executive v.p. and chief regulatory officer until his retirement in January 2013.

First Solar elected James Hughes to the newly created position of chief commercial officer. Most recently, Hughes was CEO and director of AEI.

Dominion announced that Diane Leopold and Paul E. Ruppert will trade job responsibilities. Leopold will become senior v.p. of Dominion transmission, and Ruppert will become senior v.p. of business development and generation construction.

The California state senate confirmed the appointment of Mark J. Ferron as a commissioner on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Previously Ferron was a senior partner at Silicon Valley Social Ventures.

Steven Agresta joined law firm Hogan Lovells’ energy practice as of counsel in the Washington, D.C. office. Prior to joining Hogan Lovells, Agresta was executive v.p. of legal at Entergy Services until 2010, and has since served as a consultant to the president of Entergy’s wholesale commodity business. He began his career as a law clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Associations: The Association for Demand Response & Smart Grid (ADS) elected new officers to the organization’s board of directors. The new officers are: Chairman Rick Voytas (Ameren); Vice Chairman Larry Oliva (Southern California Edison); Secretary Steve George (Freeman, Sullivan & Co.); and Treasurer Susan Covino (PJM).

Boards of Directors: Following the successful merger of Exelon Corp. and Constellation Energy, Exelon Generation appointed four of its senior executives to the board of directors of Constellation Energy Nuclear Group (CENG). Charles Pardee, COO, Exelon Generation, will become chairman of CENG. Also named to the CENG board were Michael Pacilio, president and chief nuclear officer of Exelon Nuclear; J. Bradley Fewell, v.p. and deputy general counsel, Exelon Generation; and Jeffrey Williams, v.p., business operations, Exelon Nuclear. Charles Berardesco will continue as a CENG board member.

New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) elected Anastasia M. Song to its board of directors. Song most recently served as CEO of Haugland Group LLC.

We welcome submissions to People, especially those accompanied by a high-resolution color photograph. E-mail to: people@pur.com.

New Opportunities: Exelon Generation named Ron DeGregorio president of Exelon Power. Most recently he was chief integration officer working on the Exelon-Constellation merger.

Former NSTAR president, chairman and CEO Thomas J. May was elected president and CEO of Northeast Utilities (NU) following the completion of the merger of the two companies. He succeeds Charles W. Shivery, who retired from his position and assumed a new role as the non-executive chairman of the board of NU.

FirstEnergy named Holly Kauffman v.p. of operations for its Jersey Central Power &Light (JCP&L) subsidiary. She serves as director of extra high voltage projects for FirstEnergy. The company also named Marlene Barwood assistant controller of FirstEnergy Utilities. Previously, Barwood was director of planning and analysis for the company.

Entergy elected Theodore H. Bunting Jr. as group president of utility operations. He was the company’s senior v.p. and chief accounting officer, and replaced Gary Taylor, who retired. Alyson Mount, currently v.p. and corporate controller, will succeed Bunting as senior v.p. and chief accounting officer. The company also appointed Sallie Rainer, previously v.p. of federal policy, to the position of president and CEO, Entergy Texas. Rainer succeeds current Entergy Texas president and CEO Joe Domino, who will become chief integration officer for the previously announced merger of Entergy’s transmission business with ITC Holdings.

Entergy also made regulatory and governmental changes at two of its utility subsidiaries. Deanna Rodriguez, current v.p. of regulatory affairs for Entergy New Orleans, will assume the new role of v.p. of regulatory and governmental affairs at Entergy Texas. Gary Huntley, currently region manager for the New Orleans electric distribution network, was named v.p. of regulatory and governmental affairs for Entergy New Orleans, replacing Rodriguez.  

Chesapeake Utilities appointed Thomas E. Mahn as director of finance. Previously, Mahn was v.p. and treasurer for Perdue Inc., a privately held food and agribusiness company.

ComEd named Marlow Colvin v.p. of governmental affairs. Previously, Colvin served as state representative for the 33rd district in the Illinois General Assembly.

Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) announced new positions within the company: Terry Jensky, v.p. of energy supply relations, was named v.p. of generation assets; Paul Spicer, v.p. of energy supply control, assumed the role of v.p. of energy supply; VernPeterson, general manager of operations and engineering, became v.p. of energy delivery; Howard Giesler, assistant v.p. of energy supply operations, moved to the position of general manager at the WPS Weston plant; and Len Rentmeester, director of generation, was named WPS Pulliam plant manager.  

Energy Future Holdings appointed new general counsels: Stacey Doré was appointed to senior v.p. and general counsel at Energy Future Holdings and Stephanie Zapata Moore to Luminant as v.p. and general counsel. Previously, Doré was general counsel at Luminant. Moore joined the Luminant legal team in 2005 from Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP.

Conservation Services Group (CSG) promoted Jack Sheehan to CFO. Sheehan joined CSG in 2009 as controller and was promoted to v.p. in 2011.

Associations: The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) welcomed BrigadierGeneral (CA) Jack Hagan as director of its Consumer Protection and Safety Division (CPSD). General Hagan currently serves as special agent for the Bureau of Investigation, Division of Law Enforcement, in the California Department of Justice.

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) appointed Nicholas K. Akins, AEP’s president and CEO, to chair the board of directors, and Kimberly S. Greene, TVA’s executive v.p. and chief generation officer, as vice chair.

Board of Directors: Exelon Generation appointed Carol Peterson, Exelon Nuclear’s v.p. of project and asset management, to the board of directors of Constellation Energy Nuclear Group.

We welcome submissions to People, especially those accompanied by a high-resolution color photograph. E-mail to: people@pur.com.

New Opportunities: Southern Company announced changes in the company’s management team. Mark A. Crosswhite, current president and CEO of Gulf Power, will become executive v.p. and COO for Southern Company. Crosswhite assumes the role vacated by Anthony J. Topazi, who plans to retire. Stanley W. Connally Jr. will replace Crosswhite as president and CEO of Gulf Power. John L. Pemberton, previously v.p. of governmental affairs, will succeed Connally as senior v.p. and senior production officer of generation at Georgia Power. Leigh Davis Perry, v.p. of charitable giving for Alabama Power and president of the Alabama Power Foundation, will replace Pemberton as senior v.p. and general counsel for Southern Company operations and Southern Nuclear.

Great Plains Energy and Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L) appointed Scott Heidtbrink as executive v.p. and COO of KCP&L and greater Missouri operations. Heidtbrink, who was senior v.p. of supply, replaces Terry Bassham, who earlier this year became president and CEO. The companies also named Michael Deggendorf senior v.p. of corporate services. Deggendorf, who was senior v.p. of delivery, now will oversee the company’s new transmission partnership, Transource. Also, Kevin Noblet, senior director of renewables and gas generation, was promoted to v.p. of generation.

NV Energy announced two senior leadership appointments. CFO Dilek Samil was named executive v.p. and COO. Jonathan S. Halkyard joined the company as executive v.p. and CFO. Previously, Halkyard was executive v.p. and CFO for Caesars Entertainment. 

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) appointed Jesus Soto Jr. as senior v.p. of gas transmission, operations, engineering, and pipeline integrity. Previously, he was v.p. of operations services for El Paso Corp.’s pipeline group.

American Electric Power named Alberto Ruocco as v.p. and CIO. Ruocco was CIO of BlueStar Energy Solutions, a retail subsidiary recently acquired by AEP. Ruocco replaces Pablo A. Vegas, who became president and COO of AEP Ohio in March.

Chesapeake Utilities appointed Matthew M.Kim as v.p. of the company. He was assistant v.p. Also, William D. Hancock became assistant v.p. of Peninsula EnergyServices, a subsidiary of Chesapeake. Previously, he was a director of supply and risk marketing for Inergy LP.

NiSource Gas Transmission & Storage appointed Georgia Carter to the company’s leadership team as senior v.p. of rates and regulatory affairs for Columbia Gas Transmission, Columbia Gulf Transmission, and Crossroads Pipeline. Previously she was Dominion Resources’ deputy general counsel for gas transmission and distribution.

Duquesne Light Co. named Tishekia E. Williams as senior counsel for regulatory affairs. She most recently served as Exelon’s assistant general counsel. 

Associations:The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) board of directors elected two of its three officer positions: Ervan Hancock, manager of renewable and green strategies for Georgia Power, was named vice chairman; and Matthew Cheney, CEO of CleanPath Ventures, became treasurer. David Rubin, director of service analysis for PG&E, continues as chairman.

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) elected James H. Lash—president of FirstEnergy Generation and chief nuclear officer for FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Co.—to its board of directors for a one-year term.

Boards of Directors: Southern Company elected E. Jenner Wood III to its board of directors. Wood currently is chairman, president, and CEO of SunTrust Bank’s Atlanta division.

Piedmont Natural Gas appointed Phillip D. Wright to its board of directors. He was a senior v.p. for the Williams Companies.

OwnEnergy appointed Ron Rebenitsch to the company’s board of directors. He most recently served as an executive for Basin Electric.

We welcome submissions to People, especially those accompanied by a high-resolution color photograph. E-mail to: people@pur.com.

New Opportunities: El Paso Electric announced that Thomas V. Shockley, who has been serving as interim CEO since the resignation of David W. Stevens, was appointed the company’s permanent CEO. He formerly was vice chairman and COO of American Electric Power. The company also announced that Hector R. Puente, senior v.p. of operations and distribution, was promoted to senior v.p. and COO.

Duke Energy named Clark Gillespy president of the company’s South Carolina service region. Previously, he served as v.p. of economic development, business development and territorial strategies for Duke Energy in North Carolina and South Carolina. Gillespy replaces Catherine Heigel who became vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary at American Transmission Co.

Ameren promoted Richard J. Mark to chairman, president, and CEO of Ameren Illinois, effective immediately. Mark replaces Scott A. Cisel who resigned. Replacing Mark as leader of customer operations for Ameren Missouri is Michael L. Moehn, who transfers from a similar role at Ameren Illinois and becomes senior v.p. of customer operations at Ameren Missouri.

ConEdison Solutions hired William Davidson as manager of sales and business development for the Midwest Region. Davidson spent more than 14 years at Ingersoll Rand-Trane, most recently as v.p. of global services business development.

Sempra Energy named Carlos Ruiz chairman and CEO of the company’s Mexican operating subsidiary, Sempra Mexico. Ruiz is a partner in an investment banking and infrastructure project firm, Proyectos Estrategicos Integrales, S.C. 

Sempra subsidiary Southern California Gas appointed Dennis V. Arriola president and COO. Previously, Arriola served as executive v.p. and CFO of SunPower.

DTE Energy named PeterOleksiak senior v.p. of finance. Previously he was DTE’s controller since 2005. The company also named James Tompkins v.p. He was general auditor since 2004. In addition, Dan Brudzynski, v.p. of regulatory affairs, will assume the position of v.p. and treasurer; and Nick Khouri, v.p. and treasurer, will assume Brudzynski’s position of v.p. of regulatory affairs. Donna England, director of technical accounting, was appointed chief accounting officer.

Portland General Electric appointed Jack E. Davis as a director of the company. Davis served as CEO of Arizona Public Service and president and COO of Pinnacle West Capital, APS’s parent company.

First Solar appointed Georges Antoun as COO. Most recently Antoun was a venture partner at Technology Crossover Ventures, a private equity and venture firm.

Associations: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) named Marc W. Goldsmith as its 131 president. Previously, Goldsmith was a v.p. at Stone & Webster Management Consultants.

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) elected the following chair and vice-chair to serve on the executive committee of SEIA’s board of directors: chairman Arno Harris, CEO of Recurrent Energy; and vice-chairwoman Patricia Nugent, director of policy and business development for Dow Solar.

The American Public Power Association board of directors elected Phyllis Currie as chair. Currie is general manager of Pasadena Water & Power in California.

Boards of Directors: DTE Energy appointed James B. Nicholson to its board of directors. Nicholson is president and CEO of Detroit-based PVS Chemicals.

Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) elected Alfred W. Zollar to its board of directors. Zollar retired from IBM in 2011. 

Xcel Energy elected Richard T. O’Brien to the company’s board of directors. He will serve on the board’s nuclear, environmental, and safety committee. O’Brien is president and CEO of Newmont Mining.

We welcome submissions to People, especially those accompanied by a high-resolution color photograph. E-mail to: people@pur.com.

New Opportunities:Upon completing the merger between Duke Energy and Progress Energy, the combined company named James E. Rogers CEO, succeeding William D. Johnson who resigned as president and CEO “by mutual agreement,” according to the company. Rogers also is chairman of Duke’s board of directors.

Duke Energy named Keith Trent executive v.p. of regulated utilities. He replaces John McArthur, who resigned. Previously, Trent led the commercial business organization for Duke. Duke Energy alsoannounced that Mark Mulhern, executive v.p. and chief administrative officer, and Paula Sims, chief integration and innovation officer, also resigned.

FirstEnergy made a series of leadership changes to its finance and generation organizations. James F. Pearson, v.p. and treasurer, was promoted to senior v.p. and treasurer. He will continue reporting to Mark T. Clark, executive v.p. and CFO. Bennett L. Gaines, v.p., corporate services and CIO, became senior v.p., corporate services and CIO, and will report to Clark. Steven R. Staub, formerly assistant treasurer, was promoted to executive director and assistant treasurer, reporting to Pearson. Gary D. Benz, executive director, business development, was promoted to v.p., supply chain, reporting to Gaines. Current supply chain v.p. John W. Judge, will become v.p., corporate risk and chief risk officer, reporting to Clark. Judge succeeds William D. Byrd, who retired. 

FirstEnergy also named Mark A. Jones v.p. of external affairs for its Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) subsidiary. Previously, Jones was director of national accounts and customer service for FirstEnergy.

FirstEnergy Generation promoted Raymond L. Evans, executive director, environmental, to v.p., environmental. He will continue reporting to James H. Lash, president, FirstEnergy Generation and chief nuclear officer.

JEA named Joseph Belechak as CEO and managing director. Previously, Belechak was senior v.p. of nuclear fuels at Westinghouse Electric.

ConEdison Solutions appointed Mary DeMarco to the role of energy services sales executive and Kevin Lubawski as sales executive. Prior to joining ConEdison Solutions, DeMarco worked at Ingersoll Rand/Tran and Lubawski was a senior account manager at Exelon.

Atlantic Power appointed Terrence Ronan as executive v.p. and CFO. Ronan succeeds Lisa Donahue, who served as interim CFO since July 2011. Most recently, Ronan was managing director-finance and assistant treasurer at Plains All American Pipeline.

Copano Energy appointed Bryan W.Neskora COO, and Susan B. Ortenstone chief administrative officer. Previously, Neskora was senior v.p. of operations for El Paso Corp.’s pipeline group. Since 2003, Ortenstone was responsible for overseeing human resources, IT, communications and community relations, facilities and real estate functions for El Paso Corp.

DTE Energy promoted Joseph H. Plona, site v.p., as senior v.p. and chief nuclear officer at DTE Energy’s Fermi 2 Nuclear Power Plant. Plona replaces Jack M. Davis who announced his retirement.

Entergy named Jim Sinclair manager of communications for the company’s nuclear power plants in Vermont and Massachusetts. Since 2011, Sinclair has served as division director of LNG Operations for El Paso.

Arise Windpower AB appointed Lars Fröding as deputy CEO of the company, in addition to his role as COO. Also Arise Joint Ventures AB appointed Per-Erik Eriksson as managing director. Eriksson previously worked in the SCA Group as global head of energy.

Associations: The California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA) hired Bryan Crabb as executive director. Crabb was director of government affairs at First Solar and OptiSolar Technologies before that. He also was a staff liaison for the California Public Utilities Commission.

We welcome submissions to People, especially those accompanied by a high-resolution color photograph. E-mail to: people@pur.com.

New Opportunities: Northeast Utilities named William P. Herdegen III the new president and COO of Connecticut Light & Power. Most recently, he served as v.p. of transmission and distribution operations at Kansas City Power & Light.

Alabama Power elected Scott Moore as v.p. with responsibility for transmission. Moore comes to Alabama Power from Gulf Power, where he was general manager for power delivery.

NiSource hired Jim L. Stanley as executive v.p. and group CEO for Northern Indiana Public Service Co. Stanley succeeds Jimmy D.Staton, who has led both NIPSCO and NiSource’s gas transmission and storage (NGT&S) operations. With Stanley’s appointment, Staton will serve exclusively as executive v.p. and group CEO for NGT&S. Most recently, Stanley served as senior v.p. and chief distribution officer for Duke Energy’s U.S. electric business.

FirstEnergy promoted Anne Grealy to executive director of state government affairs. Previously, she served as director of federal regulatory affairs in FirstEnergy’s Washington, D.C., office. 

ConEdison Solutions named Richard D. Rathvon as v.p. for retail commodity services. Most recently, Rathvon was senior v.p. at Liberty Power.

Southwest Power Pool (SPP) regional entity trustees named Ron Ciesiel general manager. He was executive director of compliance and acting general manager. Ciesiel succeeds Stacy Dochoda who left May 1 to become president and CEO of the Florida Reliability Coordinating Council.

Progress Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, named R. Alexander Glenn as state president, succeeding Vincent M. Dolan when he retires at the end of the year. Currently, Glenn is the company’s general counsel.

DCP Midstream appointed Bill Waldheim president. He succeeds CEO and President Mark Borer, who plans to retire. Borer will continue as CEO and as a director through the end of the year, and in an advisory role through March 2013. Waldheim was president of the natural gas liquids, gas, and crude oil logistics business unit for DCP Midstream since 2011.

MDU Resources Group named K. Frank Morehouse as president of the company’s utility group, which includes Montana-Dakota Utilities, Great Plains Natural Gas, Cascade Natural Gas, and Intermountain Gas. Morehouse most recently was executive v.p. and general manager of Intermountain Gas and Cascade Natural Gas. He will assume the position in January, succeeding David L. Goodin, who was named to succeed Terry D. Hildestad as president and CEO of MDU Resources upon Hildestad’s retirement.

Associations: EdisonElectric Institute (EEI) named Ryan Rudominer as executive director of communications. Rudominer came from New Partners Consulting, where he provided strategic messaging, branding and tactical advice.

The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity named Robert M. “Mike” Duncan president and CEO. Duncan was chairman and CEO of the Inez Deposit Bank in Eastern Kentucky and has served with the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Cincinnati branch, and the Kentucky Bankers Association.

Boards of Directors: Fluor Corp. elected Armando J. Olivera to its board of directors. Olivera is the retired president and CEO of NextEra subsidiary Florida Power & Light.

Spectra Energy Partners appointed William T. Yardley as a new director on the board of its general partner. Yardley is current group v.p., Spectra Energy Transmission, Northeast.

We welcome submissions to People, especially those accompanied by a high-resolution color photograph. E-mail to: people@pur.com.

New Opportunities: Westinghouse Electric appointed Danny Roderick as president and CEO, succeeding Shigenori Shiga, who had served as interim president and CEO since April. Roderick was senior vice president at GE Hitachi Nuclear, and before that was vice president of nuclear projects at Progress Energy Florida. Before joining Progress he spent 13 years in plant operations and engineering with Entergy Nuclear.

Jon Taylor, assistant controller at FirstEnergy Solutions (FES) and FirstEnergy Generation, was promoted to v.p. and assistant controller for FirstEnergy. Kelley Mendenhall, v.p. finance at FES, was named v.p. strategy and planning. Trent Smith, regional president, Cleveland Electric Illuminating (CEI), was named v.p., sales and marketing, FES. Don Moul, regional president, Ohio Edison, has been named v.p., commodity operations, FES.

Raymond A. Lieb, currently director of site operations at FirstEnergy’s Beaver Valley nuclear station, was promoted to site v.p. of Davis-Besse. Lieb replaces Barry Allen, who accepted a position at Pacific Gas & Electric. 

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) promoted Greg Kiraly from v.p. of electric distribution operations to senior v.p.

ITC Holdings hired Kristine Schmidt as the company’s v.p. and president of ITC Great Plains. Schmidt joins ITC from ESPY Energy Solutions.

Pepco Holdings appointed Kevin C. Fitzgerald as executive v.p. and general counsel. Most recently he was executive partner at Troutman Sanders.

PPL named Jaime Bohnke as head of supply chain and procurement. Most recently, he was a v.p. for Tyco International.

Brenda Boultwood joined MetricSteam’s executive team as the v.p. of industry solutions. Most recently, she served as senior v.p. and chief risk officer at Constellation Energy (now Exelon).

Dominion made changes within its officer ranks: Shannon L. Venable, v.p. financial management - generation was named v.p. information technology; Thomas R. Bean, v.p. financial analysis - alternative energy solutions, succeeds Venable; Patricia G. Shell, v.p. & general auditor, succeeds Bean; and Michele L. Cardiff, controller-generation accounting, succeeds Shell.

Associations: The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) appointed Mark Crosswhite, COO of Southern Company, to its board of directors.

The National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR) named Hans Mertens as its new administrative manager. Previously, Mertens was the director of engineering services and chief engineer for the Vermont Department of Public Service.

The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) selected five new members to its board of directors: Holly Gordon of Sunrun, Jurgen Krehnke of SMA Solar Technology AG, Lori Singleton of Salt River Project, Cris Eugster of CPS Energy, and Matt Ferguson of the Reznick Group.

Boards of Directors: American Electric Power elected Steve Rasmussen, CEO of Nationwide, to its board.

Dominion’s board of directors elected a new director, Michael E.Szymanczyk. Previously, he served as chairman and CEO of Altria Group.

Pepco Holdings appointed H. Russell Frisby Jr. to its board of directors. Frisby is a partner at Stinson Morrison Hecker.

Retirements: J. Wayne Leonard, chairman and CEO at Entergy, plans to retire on Jan. 31, 2013. Leo Denault, current executive v.p. and CFO, was elected to succeed Leonard. Andrew Marsh, currently v.p., system planning, will succeed Denault.

Also retiring from Entergy in January is Richard Smith, president of wholesale commodities. William Mohl, previously chairman, president and CEO of Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, will succeed Smith.

We welcome submissions to People, especially those accompanied by a high-resolution color photograph. E-mail to: people@pur.com.

New Opportunities:The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) named William D. Johnson president and CEO. Formerly chairman, president, and CEO of Progress Energy, Johnson will succeed Tom Kilgore, who served as TVA’s first president and CEO since 2006.

Northeast Utilities appointed James W. Hunt as v.p. of regulatory affairs and community relations. He was chief of environment and energy for the city of Boston. 

Pepco Holdings Inc. (PHI) promoted Donna J.Kinzel to v.p., treasurer and chief risk officer, from v.p., investor relations. Kevin M.McGowan moved to v.p., regulatory affairs, from v.p. and treasurer. PHI promoted O. Ray Bourland to v.p., public policy, from director and counsel for public policy.

Spectra Energy made a number of senior management appointments: Doug Bloom, current president of Spectra Energy Transmission West (SET West), will become president of Canadian LNG. Mark Fiedorek, current group v.p. of Southeast transmission and storage in the U.S., will become president of SET West. Bill Yardley will become president of U.S. transmission and storage.

Judy Steele was appointed president and COO of Emera Energy. She succeeded Wayne O’Connor who became executive v.p. of operations for Nova Scotia Power. Steele previously was CFO for Emera Inc.

Hawaiian Electric Co. recently made two executive appointments: Jim Alberts became senior v.p. of customer service and Patsy Nanbu was named v.p. of regulatory affairs. Alberts previously was v.p. of customer services for Kansas City Power & Light. Nanbu was recently Hawaiian Electric’s controller.

GDF SUEZ Gas NA Holdings LLC appointed Robert Wilson as its new president and CEO. Wilson succeeded Claiborne Harris, who retired. Wilson previously was president and CEO of GDF SUEZ Energy Resources. He was succeeded by Sam Henry, who was president and CEO of GDF SUEZ Energy Marketing North America. Henry was replaced by Stefaan Sercu, previously v.p., local portfolio management, generation.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s (WPI) department of corporate and professional education hired Michael Ahern to be its first director of power systems engineering. Ahern previously was v.p. of utility services at Northeast Utilities.

FirstEnergy made several management changes. John Skory, regional president, Pennsylvania Electric (Penelec) was named regional president, Cleveland Electric Illuminating. Scott Wyman, director, operations services, succeded Skory. Dave Karafa, regional president, Metropolitan Edison, was named regional president, Ohio Edison. Mike Doran, director, operations services, West Penn Power, was promoted to regional president, Met-Ed. In addition, Stan Szwed, v.p., compliance and regulated services, and chief Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) compliance officer, will retire at the end of 2012. JimHaney, president of FE’s West Virginia operations, will succeed Szwed.  Holly Kauffmann, v.p., operations, Jersey Central Power & Light, was promoted to president, West Virginia operations.  

Associations: The board of directors of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America elected C. Gregory Harper as chairman for 2013. Harper is senior v.p. and group president of CenterPoint Energy’s pipelines and field services businesses. INGAA’s board also elected Gary L. Sypolt, CEO of Dominion Energy, as first vice chairman; and David Devine, president of Kinder Morgan’s gas pipeline division, as second vice chair.

The American Gas Association (AGA) elected Ronald W. Jibson as chairman of the board of for 2013. Jibson is chairman, president, and CEO of Questar.

Karen Lefkowitz, v.p., business transformation at Pepco Holdings, was appointed to the board of directors of the GridWise Alliance.

We welcome submissions to People, especially those accompanied by a high-resolution color photograph. E-mail to: people@pur.com.

New Opportunities: Entergy named Phillip R. May Jr. president and CEO of Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, and chairman of the board. May succeeds William Mohl, who will become president of Entergy Wholesale Commodities. May was v.p. of regulatory services for Entergy’s utility business. 

FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Co. (FENOC) elected Peter P. Sena III, previously president and COO, as president and chief nuclear officer.

Duke Energy named Heath Shuler as senior v.p. of federal affairs. Previously Shuler served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing North Carolina’s 11th District since 2007.

Dominion made a number of executive changes. Steven A. Rogers, president of Dominion Resources Services and chief administrative officer, was named senior v.p. and CIO, succeeding Margaret E. “Lyn” McDermid, who left to become CIO for the Federal Reserve System. Carter M. Reid, currently v.p., general counsel, and corporate secretary, will be promoted to senior v.p., administrative services, and corporate secretary. Mark O. Webb will be promoted to v.p. and general counsel from his current position as deputy general counsel, electric regulation, litigation, and environment. Christine M. Schwab, currently v.p., regulatory compliance, and chief risk officer, gains an expanded role as v.p. and chief compliance and risk officer.

Constellation Energy Nuclear Group (CENG) appointed Christopher Costanzo to the position of site v.p. at Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station in Oswego, N.Y. Costanzo has been plant general manager at the Calvert Cliffs nuclear power plant since August 2011.

Georgia Public Service Commission selected Chuck Eaton as PSC chairman for 2013 and 2014. Eaton was elected to his first term on the commission in 2006.

Associations: Joseph E. Ramsey, group v.p. of project execution for Spectra Energy Transmission, was elected chairman of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America Foundation.

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) appointed Washington commissioner Philip Jones as president. Jones has been a member of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) since 2005.

NARUC also elected CommissionerColette Honorable of Arkansas as first v.p. and Lisa Edgar of Florida as second v.p. Honorable was appointed to the Arkansas Public Service Commission in 2007, and was designated chairman in 2011. Edgar was appointed to the Florida Public Service Commission in January 2005 and was recently reappointed to a third four-year term.

Gas Technology Institute (GTI)appointed Edward Johnston as v.p. of research operations. Johnston joined the company in 2007 as managing director of the infrastructure sector.

GTI also appointed four new board members: John Hofmeister, founder and CEO, Citizens for Affordable Energy; Alexander A. Karsner, founder and CEO, Manifest Energy; RebeccaRanich, director, Deloitte Consulting; Thomas E. Skains, CEO and chairman, Piedmont Natural Gas. The institute also re-elected board chariman Terry McCallister, chairman and CEO, WGL Holdings and Washington Gas; and vice chairwoman Rebecca Ranich, director, Deloitte Consulting; and president and CEO David C. Carroll.

Boards of Directors: Sempra Energy’s board elected CEO Debra L. Reed as chairman. Reed succeeds Donald E. Felsinger, who retired after a 40-year career with the company. Reed was named Sempra Energy’s CEO in June 2011.

ITC Holdings appointed Thomas G. Stephens as an independent board member. Stephens is retired vice chairman and global chief technology officer of General Motors.

We welcome submissions to People, especially those accompanied by a high-resolution color photograph. E-mail to: people@pur.com.

New Opportunities:Northeast Utilities appointed Craig Hallstrom as president of NSTAR Electric. Hallstrom was v.p. of field operations.

Southern Company announced several changes in the company’s financial management team. Ann P. Daiss will become chief accounting officer and comptroller of Southern Company, as well as senior v.p. and comptroller of Southern Company Services. Daiss was v.p., comptroller, and chief accounting officer for Georgia Power. Daiss replaces W. Ron Hinson, who will become executive v.p., CFO, treasurer, and comptroller of Georgia Power. Hinson will assume the role vacated by Ronnie R. Labrato, who plans to retire.

Brett Carter, president of Duke Energy North Carolina since 2008, was named chief distribution officer and senior v.p. for the company’s utility operations in six states. The company named Paul R. Newton to succeed Carter as state president for North Carolina.

ITC Holdings appointed Ron Hinsley v.p. of information technology and CIO. Hinsley joins ITC from Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corp., where he managed information services strategy and operations.

ConEdison Solutions named Peter Keating federal programs manager. Previously, he worked for PS&S Global.

GDF SUEZ Energy Resources NA named Danielle R. Wilks regional v.p., PJM, Mid-Atlantic. She came from Exelon Generation where she held positions in wholesale and retail energy markets.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) board of directors re-elected CravenCrowell chair and Judy Walsh vice chair for 2013.

The U.S. Department of Energy chose Bill Drummond to be the new administrator for the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). Before joining BPA, Drummond was manager of the Western Montana Electric Generating and Transmission Cooperative.

Associations: The Peak Load Management Alliance (PLMA) appointed Ed Thomas as executive director. Previously he was v.p. of utility and government services for the Electric & Gas Industries Association.

District of Columbia Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Betty Ann Kane was appointed to serve as a member of the board of directors of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). Before joining the PSC, Kane served two terms as an at-large member of the D.C. Board of Education.

National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners appointed Railroad Commission of Texas Chairman Barry Smitherman as chair of the association’s committee on gas.

The Association for Demand Response & Smart Grid (ADS) elected several individuals to its board of directors: Steve Cowell (Conservation Services Group); Gary Fromer (Constellation); Christopher Gillman (Duke Energy); Mike Hyland (American Public Power Association); Frank Lacey (Comverge); and Jay Shaver (GE).

Boards of Directors: Wisconsin Energy appointed Henry W. Knueppel, retired chairman and CEO of Regal Beloit, to its board of directors.

American Electric Power elected Oliver G. Richard III, former chairman, president and CEO of Columbia Energy Group, to its board of directors.

The Tennessee Valley Authority appointed new board members: Joe H. Ritch, an attorney at the Sirote & Permutt law firm; Michael McWherter, owner and president of Central Distributors Co. and Volunteer Distributing Co.; Peter Mahurin, chairman of Hilliard Lyons Financial Services; and V. Lynn Evans, CPA in private practice.

MISO re-elected board members Michael J. Curran and Eugene W. Zeltmann. Curran previously served as chairman and CEO of the Boston Stock Exchange. Zeltmann was president and CEO of the New York Power Authority (NYPA), and was a New York PSC commissioner.

We welcome submissions to People, especially those accompanied by a high-resolution color photograph. E-mail to: people@pur.com.

New Opportunities: Ben Fowke, chairman, president and CEO of Xcel Energy, was named to a committee composed of CEOs from the utility and nuclear industries that will receive regular briefings from the FBI, National Security Agency, Department of Energy, and Department of Homeland Security to begin cooperative efforts on cybersecurity issues.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. appointed Tim Fitzpatrick as v.p. of corporate relations, and chief communications officer. Fitzpatrick was v.p. of marketing and corporate communications at Florida Power & Light.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) board of directors appointed two new vice presidents: Ken McIntyre, ERCOT’s director of standards and protocol compliance, will become v.p. of grid planning and operations; and Brad Jones, v.p. of government relations for Energy Future Holdings, will be ERCOT’s v.p. of commercial operations.

ComEd appointed Bill Whitman Jr. as v.p. of communications. Most recently he served as managing director for the public relations firm Burson-Marsteller.

National Grid US named John J. Donleavy as executive v.p. and COO for National Grid’s U.S. operations. Previously, Donleavy was president and CEO of Vermont Electric Power. 

FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Co. (FENOC) made several management changes at its fleet headquarters in Akron, Ohio, and Beaver Valley power station in Shippingport, Penn.: Paul A. Harden, previously site v.p. at Beaver Valley, was promoted to senior v.p. of fleet engineering, reporting to FENOC president and chief nuclear officer Peter P. Sena. He succeeds Danny L. Pace, who will retire. Eric A.Larson, currently v.p. of nuclear support for the FENOC fleet, will replace Harden as site v.p. of Beaver Valley. David Hamilton, director of fleet project management, will assume responsibilities for nuclear support until Larson’s replacement is named. 

FirstEnergy appointed Kevin R. Burgess, executive director, FirstEnergy Solutions (FES) finance, as executive director, internal auditing. Burgess replaces James D. Jenkins, who will retire. Nicholas P. Fernandez, director of portfolio management for FES, replaces Burgess as director of FES finance.

Atlantic Power appointed Edward Hall as executive v.p. and COO. Most recently, Hall served as executive v.p. and COO of global generation at AES.

Ameresco named Marcus Fister as senior director of energy supply management. Fister previously served as director at National Energy.

PPL Susquehanna appointed Jon A. Franke as its new site v.p. for the Susquehanna nuclear power plant. He joined PPL from the Crystal River nuclear plant in Florida, where he had been site v.p. since 2009.

The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) elected Daniel C. Hill to its board of directors. Hill was senior v.p. and CIO at Exelon.

Associations:The World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) appointed Ken Ellis, currently the executive v.p. of strategic support and former chief nuclear officer of Bruce Power, as managing director.

Boards of Directors: Dominion’s board of directors nominated Adm. James O. Ellis, Jr. (ret.), to serve on the board. Ellis recently retired as president and CEO of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations.

WGL Holdings elected Linda Gooden to the boards of directors of WGL Holdings and Washington Gas. Gooden is executive v.p. of Lockheed Martin’s information systems and global solutions.

TransCanada’s board of directors appointed Mary Pat Salomone as independent director. Salomone previously was senior v.p. and COO of Babcock & Wilcox.

We welcome submissions to People, especially those accompanied by a high-resolution color photograph. E-mail to: people@pur.com.

New Opportunities:FirstEnergy named James V. Fakult, formerly president, Maryland operations, as president, Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L). He succeeds Don Lynch, who retired. James A. Sears, director of operations services at Mon power, was promoted to president of Maryland operations, succeeding Fakult. In related organizational moves, Anthony Hurley, director of operations services at Toledo Edison, was promoted to v.p. of operations, JCP&L. Ralph Hillmer, director of operations support, JCP&L, was named director of operations services at JCP&L. He succeeds Craig Hotchkiss, who was named director of operations services at Ohio Edison. In addition, Patricia Mullin, currently general manager of regional operations services-east at JCP&L, was named director of operations support, JCP&L. 

FirstEnergy also announced that Randall A. Frame, regional president at Toledo Edison, was named regional president at Ohio Edison. He succeeds David J. Karafa, who was promoted to president, Pennsylvania operations. Linda L. Moss, director, operations support at Potomac Edison, was promoted to regional president at Toledo Edison.

Duke Energy named John Fremstad as business development manager for the company’s business development and economic development team. Fremstad spent the past decade as v.p. of KBR Building Group-Florida and v.p. of the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission.

PPLappointed David K. Arthur as the company’s federal government relations v.p. Arthur succeeds Paulette C. Pidcock, who retired. Arthur previously was senior director of federal government relations for PPL.

Steve Trenholm, CEO of E.ON Climate & RenewablesNorth America, will become chairman of the company. He will continue in his other roles as director of compliance and director of performance improvement for EC&R.

Patrick Woodson, currently COO for EC&R North America Wind, will become CEO of EC&R’s North American on-shore wind group.

TheU.S. Department of Energy chose Mark A. Gabriel to be the new administrator of the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA). Gabriel was CEO and president of Power Pundits LLC.

Sephir Hamilton joined Seattle City Light as chief of staff. Previously he served as director of operational excellence at Central Hudson Gas & Electric in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 

Associations:American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) named Tom Kiernan as the organization’s new CEO. Kiernan served as president of the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) since 1998.

TheNew York State Smart Grid Consortium (NYSSGC) appointed James T. Gallagher as executive director. Gallagher, who was a member representative to the NYSSGC, will fill the vacancy created by former executive director David Manning.

Boards of Directors: Philip Odeen retired from the AES board of directors after 10 years of service. Charles Rossotti, former commissioner of Internal Revenue, was elected to replace Odeen as non-executive chairman of the board.

NiSource board member Richard Thompson was elected chairman. Thompson has been a NiSource board member since 2004 and serves on the company’s corporate governance, finance, and officer nomination and compensation committees.

Peabody Energyannounced that all 10 nominated members of its board of directors were re-elected for one-year terms. The re-elected directors are: Gregory H. Boyce, William A. Coley, William E. James, Robert B. Karn III, Henry E. Lentz, Robert A. Malone, William C.Rusnack, John F. Turner, Sandra A. Van Trease, and Alan H. Washkowitz.

We welcome submissions to People, especially those accompanied by a high-resolution color photograph. E-mail to: people@pur.com.

New Opportunities:Duke Energynamed Lynn J. Good its new CEO, succeeding Jim Rogers who’s expected to remain chairman of the board until his retirement at the end of 2013. Good was Duke’s executive v.p. and CFO since 2009.

Exelonnamed Kenneth W. Cornew, formerly executive v.p. and chief commercial officer, Exelon, and president and CEO of Constellation, as senior executive v.p. and chief commercial officer, Exelon, and president and CEO of Exelon Generation. Joseph Nigro, formerly senior v.p., portfolio management and strategy, Constellation, was named executive v.p., Exelon, and CEO, Constellation. Nigro will report to Cornew. 

Xcel Energy named Judith M. Poferl v.p., corporate secretary, succeeding Cathy J. Hart who retired. Poferl was president and CEO of Xcel Energy subsidiary Northern States Power-Minnesota since September 2009. David M. Sparby, senior v.p. and group president for Xcel Energy Services, assumed the additional role of president and CEO of NSP-Minnesota. Sparby will continue to oversee Xcel’s four utility operating companies. 

Southern Company elected Tom Wilson as v.p. and chief information security officer of Southern Company Services. Since 2008, Wilson was director of IT security. 

Chesapeake Utilitiesappointed Elaine B. Bittner as senior v.p. of strategic development. She was v.p. of Eastern Shore Natural Gas.

Alterra Powerappointed Jon Schintler to the position of director, project finance and mergers and acquisitions. Most recently, Schintler was director of finance at Chicago-based Invenergy. 

MDU Resourcesnamed Dennis L. Haider executive v.p. of business development. Since 2008, Haider was executive v.p. of marketing, gas supply, and business development for MDU’s utility group.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Jon Wellinghoff announced he would retire from the commission, but will stay in place until the Senate confirms his successor.

Associations:The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) elected Brendon Merkley, Vivint Solar COO, as state policy committee chair. 

Boards of Directors: Amerenappointed to its board of directors Richard J. Harshman, who is chairman, president, and CEO of Allegheny Technologies.

CMS Energy shareholders elected 11 members to the board of directors: David W. Joos, non-executive chairman of CMS Energy; John G. Russell, president and CEO of CMS Energy; and independent directors Jon E. Barfield, StephenE. Ewing, Richard M. Gabrys, William D. Harvey, Philip R. Lochner, Jr., Michael T. Monahan, Kenneth L. Way, Laura H. Wright, and John B. Yasinsky. CMS board members also were elected to the Consumers Energy board.

NiSource shareholders elected the company’s board of directors for 2013 and ’14: Richard L.Thompson, chairman; Richard A. Abdoo; Aristides S. Candris; Sigmund L. Cornelius; Michael E. Jesanis; Marty R. Kittrell; W. Lee Nutter; Deborah S. Parker; Robert C. Skaggs Jr.; Teresa A. Taylor; and Carolyn Y. Woo. 

FirstEnergy reelected 14 members to its board of directors: Paul T. Addison, Anthony J. Alexander, Michael J. Anderson, Dr. Carol A. Cartwright, William T. Cottle, Robert B.Heisler Jr., Julia L. Johnson, Ted J. Kleisner, Donald T. Misheff, Ernest J. Novak Jr., Christopher D. Pappas, Catherine A. Rein, George M. Smart, and Wes M. Taylor.

The Kissimmee City Commission appointed Ethel Urbina to a five-year term on the Kissimmee Utility Authority board. 

Alterra Powerannounced that long time director Paul Sweeney retired as a director and was replaced by John Carson, who has been the company’s CEO since September 2011.

We welcome submissions to People, especially those accompanied by a high-resolution color photograph. E-mail to: people@pur.com.

New Opportunities:Dominion named Hunter Applewhite as president of the Dominion Foundation and director of community affairs. Applewhite was associate director of the Richmond Community Foundation before joining Dominion in 1996.  

Seminole Electric Cooperative named Lisa Johnson its new CEO and general manager. She was senior v.p. and COO at Old Dominion Electric Cooperative. She succeeds Timothy S. Woodbury, who will retire at the end of the year.

President Obama nominated Ron Binz to head the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Binz was appointed as a commissioner and is expected to succeed Chairman Jon Wellinghoff. Binz chaired Colorado’s Public Utilities Commission between 2007 and 2011 and served as a principal with Public Policy Consulting since leaving state government.

Associations: The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) elected Michael W. Yackira, president and CEO of NV Energy, as chairman. EEI’s chairmanship rotates on an annual basis. Also elected were three vice chairmen: Theodore F. “Ted” Craver Jr., chairman, president, and CEO of Edison International; Nicholas K. “Nick” Akins, president and CEO of American Electric Power (AEP); and Thomas A. “Tom” Fanning, chairman, president, and CEO of Southern Company.

Board of Directors: AES appointed James Miller to its board of directors. Miller most recently served as CEO and chairman of PPL from 2006 until his retirement in March 2012.

Entergy elected Admiral Kirkland H. Donald, U. S. Navy (retired) to its board of directors. Donald spent 38 years as an officer in the U.S. Navy and is currently executive v.p., COO, and a member of the board of directors of Systems Planning and Analysis.

PG&E Corp. elected Dick Kelly, retired chairman and CEO of Xcel Energy, to its board of directors and to the board of directors of its subsidiary, Pacific Gas and Electric.

Sempra Energy appointed Kathleen L. Brown to the company’s board of directors. Previously, she worked 12 years in leadership positions at Goldman Sachs Group.

Ameren named Richard J. Harshman, chairman, president and CEO of Allegheny Technologies to its board of directors. 

DTE Energy appointed David A. Thomas to its board of directors. Thomas has been the dean and William R. Berkeley professor of business administration at Georgetown University McDonough School of Business since 2011.  

Duke Energy’s board of directors elected lead director Ann Maynard Gray as its new chair, effective Dec. 31, 2013. Gray has been lead director since 2004 and a board member at Duke Energy or its predecessor companies since 1994.

ISO New England elected its 2013 board of directors, comprised of Ray Hill, Vickie VanZandt, and Barney Rush. Hill and VanZandt were re-elected to serve another term, while Rush will replace David Vitale, will retire. Rush currently is an operating partner of Denham Capital Management. Hill joined the ISO Board in 2010 and has taught economics and finance at the Emory University Goizueta Business School since 2003. VanZandt joined the ISO board in 2011 and runs VanZandt Electric Transmission Consulting.

We welcome submissions to People, especially those accompanied by a high-resolution color photograph. E-mail to: people@pur.com.

New Opportunities:Southern Company made several changes within the company’s operations management team: William C. Grantham was named v.p., CFO and treasurer for subsidiary Southern Power. He succeeds Michael W. Southern, who will retire. John G. Trawick succeeds Grantham in the newly expanded role of v.p. of commercial operations and services. Trawick most recently served as Tennessee Valley Authority’s senior v.p. of power supply and fuels. In addition, Kimberly D. Flowers was named v.p. of engineering for engineering and construction services. Lewis A. Jeffers will succeed Flowers as v.p. of technical services for engineering and construction.

Wisconsin Energy named Allen L. Leverett president. Leverett previously served as an executive v.p. of Wisconsin Energy and head of the company’s power generation group. He will succeed Gale E. Klappa, who will continue as chairman and CEO.

AES named Derek Porter president of DPL and Dayton Power and Light (DP&L). Most recently Porter served as country manager in Panama where he led the country’s largest electricity generator operating five hydroelectric plants. Phil Herrington will remain CEO of DPL and DP&L. Previously, Herrington was president of global wind generation for AES.

OGE Energynamed Sean Trauschke president of the company’s Oklahoma Gas & Electric subsidiary. Trauschke will continue to serve as CFO of both OGE Energy and OG&E. Trauschke joined OGE Energy in 2009 as v.p. and CFO. 

New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) named Cheryl Hussey v.p. and CFO. Hussey, who has been with the NYISO since 2008, was promoted to the position from her role as controller and assistant treasurer. 

The Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) appointed Gary Stephenson as CEO designate of the planned spinoff entity currently referred to as the Reliability Coordination Co. (RCCo). Stephenson is expected to become president and CEO of the RCCo., once all necessary regulatory approvals have been achieved. Most recently Stephenson was executive v.p. of operations at DPL.

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) named Steven V. King as its new executive director and secretary. He has been acting in that role since February. Most recently, King served as the UTC’s director of safety and consumer protection.

Associations: The Smart Grid Interoperability Panel (SGIP) appointed new directors, they are: Dave Hardin, senior director of smart grid standards at EnerNOC; Tom Herbst, director at Silver Spring Networks; Suresh Kotha, chief enterprise architect and information technology manager of Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD); Doug McGinnis, senior manager of network services at Exelon; and Steve Widergren, principal engineer at Pacific Northwest National Lab. 

Boards of Directors: Lawrence T. Borgard joined the American Transmission Co.(ATC) board of directors. Borgard is the current president and COO of utilities for Integrys Energy Group. 

First Solar appointed Sharon Allen to its board of directors. Allen served as U.S. chairman of Deloitte LLP from 2003 to 2011, retiring from that position in May of 2011. Allen currently serves as an independent director of Bank of America Corp.

OGE Energy appointed Sheila G. Talton to the company’s board of directors. Talton currently serves as president and CEO of Gray Matter Analytics.

Just Energy Group elected Brett Perlman to its board. Perlman is currently president of Vector Advisors and served as commissioner of the Public Utility Commission of Texas from 1999 to 2003.

We welcome submissions to People, especially those accompanied by a high-resolution color photograph. E-mail to: people@pur.com.

New Opportunities: Duke Energy named Steve K. Young executive v.p. and CFO to replace Lynn J. Good, who became president and CEO on July 1. Brian Savoy succeeds Young as v.p., controller, and chief accounting officer. Previously, Savoy was a manager with Deloitte & Touche. Additionally, Duke named Bill Currens v.p. for the company’s investor relations team. Previously Currens worked at the public accounting firm KPMG LLP. 

Kansas City Power & Light, promoted Charles King, to v.p. of information technology. He was senior director of IT. DarrinIves also was promoted from senior director to v.p. of regulatory affairs. 

Chesapeake appointed John Lewnard as v.p. of business development. Prior to joining Chesapeake, Lewnard was v.p. and chief technology officer of the Gas Technology Institute. 

UNS Energy named David G. Hutchens COO in addition to his existing position as president. The company also promoted Philip J. Dion to senior v.p. of public policy and customer solutions. Previously Dion served as an advisor at the Arizona Corporation Commission and was chief of staff for Commissioner Marc Spitzer of FERC.

CenterPoint Energy and OGE Energy named the senior operations leadership team of the natural gas midstream partnership that includes CenterPoint Energy’s interstate pipelines and field services businesses and OGE Energy’s midstream business, Enogex. The new leadership team includes: Keith Mitchell, COO, previously president of Enogex; Mark Schroeder, general counsel, was senior v.p. and deputy general counsel of regulation for CenterPoint Energy; Walter Ferguson, senior v.p. of field operations, engineering, and construction, was division senior v.p. of CenterPoint Energy’s midstream field operations, engineering, and construction; R. Poe Reed, senior v.p. of pipeline commercial operations, was the division senior v.p. and chief commercial officer for CenterPoint Energy’s pipelines business. 

First Solar named Joe Kishkill as chief commercial officer. Most recently, Kishkill was president of the Eastern hemisphere for Exterran. 

Pepco promoted Donna M. Cooper to president of Pepco Region. She replaces Thomas H.Graham, who was promoted to the position of v.p. of people strategy and human resources for Pepco’s parent company, PHI. Previously Cooper served as D.C. region v.p. for Pepco.

Clecomade changes to its executive management team: Darren J. Olagues, previously Cleco Corp. senior v.p. and CFO, was named president of Cleco Power; Thomas R.Miller, previously v.p. and treasurer, became senior v.p. and CFO of Cleco Corp.; Charles A. Mannix, previously general manager of tax and strategic planning, was named v.p. of tax and treasurer. 

FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Co. (FENOC) named Ernest J. Harkness site v.p. at the Perry nuclear plant in Perry, Ohio. Harkness formerly was site v.p. at Exelon’s Oyster Creek station in Forked River, N.J.

Associations: The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) appointed Anda A. Ray as v.p. of environment and chief sustainability officer. Ray comes to EPRI from the Tennessee Valley Authority, where she most recently served as senior v.p. of engineering, environment and support services.

Board of Directors:First Solar appointed Sharon Allen to its board of directors. Allen was U.S. chairman of Deloitte LLP from 2003 to 2011.

We welcome submissions to People, especially those accompanied by a high-resolution color photograph. E-mail to: people@pur.com.

New Opportunities:Southern Company named Chris Cummiskey chief commercial officer of its subsidiary Southern Power. Cummiskey previously was the commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Northeast Utilities appointed three current executives to new roles: Bill Quinlan was appointed president and COO of Public Service of New Hampshire. Previously, Quinlan was the senior v.p. of emergency preparedness for Connecticut Light and Power. Assuming the new role of senior v.p. of emergency preparedness for Northeast Utilities is Peter Clarke, current Western Massachusetts Electric Co. president and COO. CraigHallstrom, currently president of NSTAR Electric, will now serve as president for both WMECo and NSTAR Electric.

E. Kevin Bethel, previously v.p. and chief accounting officer for NV Energy, became v.p. and CFO, succeeding Jonathan Halkyard, executive v.p. and CFO, who left the company. 

Piedmont Natural Gas promoted Keith Maust to the position of v.p. of gas supply and pipeline services. Most recently he served as managing director of gas supply and wholesale marketing. 

Georgia Powernamed Norrie McKenzie to the newly created position of v.p. of renewable development. Since 2003, McKenzie served as chief commercial officer for Southern Power.

Pacific Gas and Electric(PG&E) appointed Barry Anderson as v.p. of emergency preparedness and response, Patrick Hogan as v.p. of electric operations asset management, and Mallik Angalakudati as v.p. of financial and resource management in gas operations. Prior to joining PG&E, Anderson was the senior director of network operations for Florida Power and Light (FPL). Hogan comes to PG&E from British Columbia Hydro, where he served as v.p. of engineering and design for electric transmission and distribution systems. Angalakudati most recently led the retail revenue process at National Grid.

Sempra Energy announced a management succession plan. All of the new management assignments are effective Jan. 1, 2014, except where noted. Jessie J. Knight, Jr., currently chairman and CEO of San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), will continue as chairman of SDG&E and become Sempra Energy’s executive v.p. of external affairs. On March 1, Knight also will become chairman of SoCalGas. Jeffrey W. Martin, currently president and CEO of Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, will become CEO of SDG&E. Patricia K. Wagner, currently v.p. of audit services for Sempra Energy, will become president and CEO of Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, succeeding Martin. Anne Shen Smith, currently chairman and CEO of Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas), will retire March 1. Dennis V. Arriola, currently president and COO of SoCalGas, will become president and CEO of SoCalGas, succeeding Smith. J. Bret Lane will become COO at SoCalGas, effective March 1, succeeding Arriola. Steven D. Davis, currently senior v.p. of external affairs for Sempra Energy, will become president and COO of SDG&E. Michael R. Niggli, president and COO for SDG&E, will retire Dec. 1, 2013.

Boards of Directors:FirstEnergy elected Luis A. Reyes to the company’s board of directors. Previously Reyes held senior leadership positions at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 

Edison International and Southern California Edison elected The HonorableEllenTauscher to their boards of directors. Tauscher is the former U.S. undersecretary of state for arms control and international security and served as special envoy for strategic stability and missile defense at the U.S. State Department. 

IDACORPappointed Ronald W. Jibson and Darrel T. Anderson to serve on the boards of directors of IDACORP and Idaho Power. Jibson is chairman, president and CEO of Questar. Anderson is executive v.p. of administrative services and CFO of IDACORP, and president and CFO of Idaho Power.

We welcome submissions to People, especially those accompanied by a high-resolution color photograph. E-mail to: people@pur.com.

New Opportunities: CenterPoint Energy announced that David M. McClanahan will step down as president and CEO and as a member of the company’s board of directors. The board of directors named COO Scott M. Prochazka as McClanahan’s successor. McClanahan will remain as an officer with the company and special advisor to the CEO during the first half of 2014.

Oglethorpe Power appointed Michael L. Smith as its new president and CEO. Since 2005, Smith has served as the president and CEO of Georgia Transmission. 

Seattle City Light hired Michael Jones as the utility’s new power supply and environmental affairs officer and general manager. Previously Jones owned his own business, CEO Focus, and also spent 12 years with The Energy Authority.

Western Area Power Administration named Dawn Roth Lindell as chief information officer. Lindell joins Western from her position as the general manager of IT services at Colorado Springs Utilities. 

CMS Energy and its principal subsidiary, Consumers Energy, announced the following personnel changes in its legal department: Jim Brunner, currently senior v.p. and general counsel, will assume the role of chief legal counsel. Cathy Reynolds, currently v.p., deputy general counsel and corporate secretary, is promoted to senior v.p. and general counsel. Melissa Gleespen was promoted to v.p. and corporate secretary. Gleespen joined the company earlier this year as supervisory assistant general counsel.

Associations:The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) announced the election of seven new members to its board of directors and the re-election of two members to additional terms.

SEPA welcomed newly elected board members Joseph A. Forline of PSE&G; Bobby Hollis of NV Energy; John D. Hewa of Pedernales Electric Cooperative; Steve Malnight of Pacific Gas and Electric; Stephen E. Morgan of American Clean Energy; Micah Myers of Clean Power Finance; and Tim Rebhorn of First Solar. SEPA also re-elected Ervan Hancock of Georgia Power and Theresa Williams of Western Area Power Administration.

SEPA also named David Bissell, CEO of Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC), utility CEO of the year in SEPA’s 2013 utility awards program. 

Board of Directors:NextEra Energyappointed president and CEO James L. Robo as chairman of the board. Robo will succeed Lewis Hay III, who will retire as executive chairman.

NextEra Energyalsoappointed Kirk S. Hachigian to its board of directors. Hachigian served as chairman, president, and CEO of Cooper Industries plc.

American DG Energy elected John Rowe to the company’s board of directors. Rowe is chairman emeritus of Exelon, which he has led since its formation in 2000. 

Detroit Renewable Energy(DRE)appointed Cynthia J. Pasky, Strategic Staffing Solutions (S3) president and CEO, to its board of managers.

SCANAelected two new members to its board of directors: Alfredo Trujillo, president and COO of the Georgia Tech Foundation, and John F.A.V. Cecil, president of Biltmore Farms. 

Piedmont Natural Gas elected Michael C. Tarwater to the company’s board of directors. Tarwater is currently the CEO of Carolinas HealthCare System.

We welcome submissions to People, especially those accompanied by a high-resolution color photograph. E-mail to: people@pur.com.

New Opportunities:IDACORP andIdaho Power elected Darrel Anderson as president and CEO of IDACORP and CEO of Idaho Power, succeeding J. LaMont Keen who will step down from his roles at IDACORP on April 30, 2014, and at Idaho Power on Dec. 31, 2013. Previously Anderson was IDACORP executive v.p. of administrative services and CFO and Idaho Power president and CFO. Additionally Steven R. Keen was promoted to senior v.p., CFO, and treasurer of Idaho Power effective Jan. 1, 2014 and of IDACORP effective May 1, 2014, from his current roles as v.p. of finance and treasurer of IDACORP and senior v.p. of finance and treasurer of Idaho Power. 

DTE Energy appointed internal senior executives to new positions: Steve Kurmas, previouslypresident and COO of DTE Electric,was named DTE Energy president and COO; Jerry Norcia, previously president and COO for DTE Gas, was named president and COO of DTE Electric and Gas and Storage pipelines; Dave Meador, previously executive v.p. and CFO, was named DTE Energy vice chairman and chief administrative officer; Peter Oleksiak, previously senior v.p. of finance, was named DTE Energy senior v.p. and CFO; and Mark Stiers, previously v.p. of gas sales and supply, was named president and COO of DTE Gas. 

Southern Company named Paula M. Marino senior v.p. of engineering and construction services. Previously Marino was v.p. of engineering for subsidiary Southern Nuclear.

Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) appointed David M. Daly as president and COO of the company’s new subsidiary that will manage the operation of the Long Island Power Authority’s electric system. Previously, Daly was v.p. of PSE&G.

Dominionpromoted Brian C. Sheppard, managing director of pipeline operations for Dominion Transmission, to v.p. of pipeline operations upon the retirement of Jeffrey L. Barger, effective April 1, 2014. 

Montana-Dakota Utilities appointed Jay Skabo as v.p. of electric supply and Nicole Kivisto as v.p. of operations. Previously Skabo was v.p. of operations for the company and Kivisto was v.p., controller, and chief accounting officer for MDU Resources Group.

Entergy Nuclear named Donna Jacobs senior v.p. of technical services, succeeding Mike Balduzzi who will retire. Jacobs was site v.p. at the Waterford 3 plant. Mike Chisum, who serves as general manager of plant operations at Arkansas Nuclear One, will succeed Jacobs at Waterford 3. 

Southern Nuclear appointed Dennis Madison, current site v.p. of the Edwin I. Hatch nuclear plant, to fleet operations v.p. at the company’s Birmingham, Ala., headquarters. David Vineyard, current plant manager at Hatch, will assume the role of site v.p. president. Tony Spring has been selected as Hatch plant manager. 

Associations: The New York State Smart Grid Consortium (NYSSGC) named executive director James T. Gallagher to the advisory board of GRID4EU. Prior to the executive director position at NYSSGC, Gallagher was senior manager for strategic planning at the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO).

Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC) named D. Richard Beam senior v.p. of power supply. Beam was v.p. for power supply. His interim replacement is Pete Gallini, who also serves as senior director of power supply.

Boards of Directors:Duke Energy elected William E. Kennard, former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair and U.S. Ambassador to the European Union, as a new board member.

CMS Energy and its subsidiary, Consumers Energy, have elected Kurt L. Darrow, chairman, president and CEO of La-Z-Boy Inc., to its board of directors.

We welcome submissions to People, especially those accompanied by a high-resolution color photograph. E-mail to: people@pur.com.