Nuclear-industry veteran elected to FirstEnergy board

Nuclear-industry veteran Thomas Mitchell has been elected to FirstEnergy Corp.’s board of directors this week.

Mitchell previously served as the CEO, president and director of Ontario Power Generation Inc. (OPG) before his retirement last year. Mitchell also served as a chief nuclear officer, vice president and a senior vice president while working with OPG. Mitchell also served in leadership roles with industry groups, including the Nuclear Energy Institute, the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, the Electric Power Research Institute and the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO). Mitchell also was awarded a Nuclear Excellence Award for lifetime accomplishments from WANO.

"Tom is a well-respected leader in the nuclear industry," George Smart, chairman of FirstEnergy's Board of Directors, said. "We believe his experience leading business transformations and strategy development at large organizations, together with his deep knowledge of energy issues, governance, research and implementation, will benefit FirstEnergy and its shareholders."

Mitchell also served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant in the branch’s naval reactors division. Between 2011 and 2015, Mitchell also served as the director of Plug’n Drive, which focused on promotion of the integration of electric vehicles in Canada.