FirstEnergy's nuclear unit names new site VP at Ohio plant

FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company (FENOC) has named David Hamilton the new site vice president of the Perry Nuclear Power Plant in Perry, Ohio, late last week.

Hamilton replaces Ernie Harkness, who recently announced his retirement.

Hamilton has worked in the nuclear-energy industry for approximately 23 years, at plants associated with Entergy Corp. and Exelon Corp. Hamilton joined FENOC in 2012 as a fleet project management director. Prior to this promotion, he was Perry's general plant manager.

"Under Ernie and David's leadership, Perry has continued to strengthen its safe, reliable operating record and made significant strides toward achieving top industry performance in all areas," FENOC President and Chief Nuclear Officer, Samuel Belcher said. "I am highly confident Perry will build on this momentum under David's continued guidance and further benefit from the skills and perspectives Frank brings to the management team."

Replacing Hamilton as general plant manager will be Frank Payne, who previously worked with Duke Energy and Exelon Corp. Prior to this, Payne also served in the U.S Navy.

The Perry Nuclear Power Plant features one boiling-water reactor that has a generation capacity of 1,260 megawatts of electricity.