#United States #Akron #FirstEnergy #Daniel Puscas #Hanneke Counts

FirstEnergy Strengthens Leadership Team

FirstEnergy Corp. is making significant strides in reshaping its leadership as part of an initiative aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, safety culture, and technological transformation. The company has recently appointed three seasoned leaders who bring a wealth of experience to their respective roles, marking a pivotal step in FirstEnergy's commitment to better serve its customers and stakeholders.

New Appointments

Chris Beam as President, West Virginia/Maryland Operations

Chris Beam takes on the role of President for the West Virginia and Maryland operations, which includes overseeing important subsidiaries like Mon Power and Potomac Edison. His responsibilities include ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient operations while managing financial performance. Beam brings to the table a robust understanding of regulatory frameworks and strategic planning, essential for navigating the complexities of the electric utility sector. Prior to this, he has held various leadership roles at American Electric Power, where he gained notable experience in overseeing generation and transmission operations.

Hanneke Counts as Vice President, Environmental Health and Safety

Hanneke Counts joins FirstEnergy as the Vice President of Environmental Health and Safety, aiming to cultivate a proactive safety culture within the organization. Her approach is to implement a risk-based framework geared toward preventing serious injuries and fortifying field execution consistency. With previous experience at Westinghouse Electric Company, Counts has a strong background in enhancing safety programs on a global scale. Her focus will be on standardizing practices across the organization and fostering an environment where safety becomes an integral part of the work culture.

Daniel Puscas as Chief Information Officer

As Chief Information Officer, Daniel Puscas will spearhead FirstEnergy's technology strategy, focusing on digital transformation and cybersecurity efforts. He is expected to drive key innovations that will improve system reliability and enable data-driven decision-making within the company. Puscas's prior roles at Fortium Partners and AlixPartners equipped him with vast insights into technology and operations transformation, which he will leverage to elevate FirstEnergy's technological landscape.

Strategic Goals

The appointments of Beam, Counts, and Puscas align seamlessly with FirstEnergy's broader strategic goals, which emphasize operational excellence, risk management, and modernization. With a unified focus on safety, efficiency, and technology, the team's combined expertise is expected to drive FirstEnergy towards achieving enhanced accountability and reliability in service delivery.

Profiles of the New Leaders

• - Chris Beam holds a Bachelor of Science in Technical Management from DeVry University. His deep-rooted leadership background in the electric utility industry positions him as a critical asset in navigating FirstEnergy's operational goals.
• - Hanneke Counts possesses a Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering and a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University, alongside certification as a Safety Professional. Her extensive safety management history will be invaluable as FirstEnergy strives to improve its incident prevention strategies.
• - Daniel Puscas has foundational expertise derived from over 20 years in technology leadership. He earned an MBA in Finance from the University of Detroit Mercy and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Central Michigan University, grounding him in both operational efficiency and financial acumen.

Conclusion

With these strategic appointments, FirstEnergy Corp. is positioned to redefine its operational capabilities, drive technological advancements, and foster a culture of safety and accountability. As the company continues to evolve, the leadership team's experience will be crucial in enhancing customer relations and optimizing service reliability across its expansive service area.