TVA Announces Appointment of Interim COO; Organization Restructured for Improved Efficiency and Integration
Septmeber 12, 2006
TVA today announced the appointment of William “Skip” Orser as interim chief operating officer as part of organizational changes designed to position the federal corporation for greater efficiency, improved integration and sharpened operational controls.
Orser will be responsible for directing TVA’s core operational businesses – the Fossil Power Group, TVA Nuclear and River System Operations and Environment. He will report to Acting CEO and President Tom Kilgore.
“Skip is a very capable leader who comes to TVA with three decades of industry knowledge and a proven track record of success,” said Kilgore. “His arrival will allow me to focus on several timely strategic initiatives important to achieving TVA’s mission.”
TVA Chairman Bill Sansom said the interim appointment has no impact on the TVA Board’s decision in choosing a CEO.
“The appointment of an interim COO will allow Tom Kilgore to focus on his job as acting CEO and president of the company, and not have to do two jobs at the same time,” Sansom said. “This is a dynamic time for TVA, and there are several crucial issues that require immediate and focused attention of the acting CEO. Mr. Orser can provide the operational day-to-day oversight necessary to achieve TVA’s business objectives.”
TVA is currently completing the restart of Brown’s Ferry Unit 1, replacing the steam generators at Watts Bar Unit 1 and beginning a detailed engineering study to help determine if it should complete Watts Bar Unit 2. In addition, numerous outages are planned at TVA fossil and hydroelectric plants during the fall when power demand is normally low.
“With the load growth TVA has experienced, we have to be doubly sure that we use the outage season to have all of the resources available for the peak season next year,” Kilgore said. “In addition, the interim COO will play a significant role in determining what new generation additions are appropriate for TVA and what should be recommended to the Board.”
Orser is a veteran investor-owned utility executive. He retired in 2005 from his most recent position as group president of Energy Supply for Progress Energy, where he held a number of key operational positions including chief nuclear officer. Before that, he held several executive positions including senior vice president of Nuclear Generation for Detroit Edison Co. and management positions with Portland General Electric and Southern California Edison.
TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self-financed with revenues of $7.8 billion in 2005. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 8.6 million consumers in seven southeastern states. TVA also manages the Tennessee River and its tributaries to provide multiple benefits, including flood damage reduction, navigation, water quality and recreation.
Media Contact
John Moulton, Knoxville, (865) 632-8048
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000
