FirstEnergy CEO to Turn Over Duties

AKRON, Ohio -- FirstEnergy Corp. chief executive H. Peter Burg will turn over his duties while he's being treated for leukemia, the company announced recently.

FirstEnergy Corp. chief executive H. Peter Burg will turn over his duties while he's being treated for leukemia, the company announced recently.

Burg, 56, plans to return to work once his doctors approve, the company said recently in a statement after markets had closed.

In the meantime, president and chief operating operator Anthony J. Alexander will take over for Burg, who's also chairman of the utility's board. The company did not release any details about Burg's illness or treatment.

Burg took over the Akron-based company in May when former CEO Fred D. Hafer retired. Before becoming CEO of FirstEnergy, Burg led Ohio Edison before its merger with Centerior Energy in 1997. FirstEnergy was formed from that merger.

Burg has overseen FirstEnergy during some tough times, including this summer when it became the focus of the nation's worst blackout. The Aug. 14 outage affected 50 million people, darkening homes and businesses in eight states and parts of Canada.

Associated Press