FirstEnergy Executive and Leadership Team

Brian Tierney, the President, Chief Executive Officer & Chair of the Board at FirstEnergy, directs the overarching strategic vision for the entire organization. Overseeing the management of one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, the President, Chief Executive Officer & Chair of the Board ensures alignment between corporate governance and operational reliability. This leadership role involves constant engagement with the Board to refine long-term growth initiatives across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. By prioritizing safety and integrity, Brian Tierney maintains the company's reputation for excellence in energy distribution. The President, Chief Executive Officer & Chair of the Board also manages high-level stakeholder relationships to support the expansion of the 24,000 miles of transmission lines. Through rigorous oversight of corporate performance, Tierney secures the financial stability necessary to serve 6 million customers effectively while navigating complex regulatory environments.

Wade Smith, the President FirstEnergy Utilities at FirstEnergy, directs the daily operations and maintenance of the electric distribution companies serving 6 million customers. Overseeing the physical infrastructure and grid reliability initiatives, the President FirstEnergy Utilities ensures that power delivery remains consistent across Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York. This leadership role involves managing large-scale capital projects to modernize the grid and improve service resilience against environmental challenges. By coordinating with regional operations teams, Wade Smith optimizes the performance of the transmission and distribution networks. The President FirstEnergy Utilities also implements advanced technology solutions to monitor grid health and reduce outage durations. Through a focus on operational excellence, Smith drives the technical strategies that allow the company to meet increasing energy demands while maintaining strict safety standards. This role remains central to the company's ability to provide reliable energy to diverse residential and commercial markets.

Karen McClendon, the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at FirstEnergy, architects the organizational culture and talent acquisition strategies required to support a massive utility workforce. Focusing specifically on internal leadership development and performance management systems, the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the company attracts top-tier engineering and technical talent. This role involves designing comprehensive training programs that emphasize safety protocols and operational excellence across all regional service areas. By aligning human capital initiatives with the broader business goals of the utility sector, Karen McClendon fosters an environment of high productivity and employee engagement. The Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer also collaborates with executive leadership to implement diversity and inclusion frameworks that reflect the diverse communities served by the company. McClendon drives the cultural transformation necessary to sustain long-term operational success in the competitive energy market.

Christine Walker, the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at FirstEnergy, manages the strategic compensation, benefits, and labor relations frameworks that underpin the company's workforce stability. Focusing on the complexities of unionized environments and large-scale workforce planning, the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that operational teams remain fully staffed and compliant with industry regulations. This role involves negotiating labor agreements and designing total rewards packages that incentivize retention among critical field personnel. By streamlining HR operations, Christine Walker supports the company's mission of reliability and safety across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. The Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer also oversees the implementation of advanced workforce analytics to predict staffing needs and optimize resource allocation. Walker drives the administrative efficiency required to maintain a robust, high-performing workforce capable of managing 24,000 miles of transmission infrastructure.