New Opportunities: Luminant (the former TXU power generation unit) announced that Texas Secretary of State Phil Wilson joined the company as senior vice president of public affairs on July 7.

NiSource named Stephen P. Smith CFO effective early August. Smith joined NiSource June 1 as executive vice president, and will retain that position. He was a senior vice president with American Electric Power.

To replace Smith, AEP named Richard E. Munczinski senior vice president, shared services. Lonni L. Dieck succeeded Munczinski as senior v.p., corporate planning and budgeting, from v.p., RTO and public policy.

Also at AEP, Venita McCellon-Allen, president and COO of Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO), was named executive vice president, AEP Utilities West, replacing Thomas M. Hagan who retired. Paul Chodak III replaced McCellon-Allen as president and CEO of SWEPCO, from director, new plant development. Charles R. Patton became senior v.p., regulatory and public policy for AEP, from president and chief operating officer of AEP Texas. Pablo A. Vegas replaces Patton as president and CEO of AEP Texas. He was director, strategic planning for AEP.

PG&E Corp. and subsidiary Pacific Gas and Electric Co. named Stephen Cairns vice president and controller of both companies. PG&E also named Placido J. “P.J.” Martinez v.p., transmission and substations. He was v.p. of operations for Entergy Louisiana.

CMS Energy and subsidiary Consumers Energy appointed Amy Sandgren Plaster executive director of federal affairs. She was chief of staff for Michigan U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra.

Pinnacle West Capital Corp. and subsidiary Arizona Public Service Co. appointed James R. Hatfield senior vice president and CFO. He was senior v.p. and CFO at OGE Energy. Scott Forbes, OGE’s controller and chief accounting officer, was named interim CFO.

The New York Independent System Operator selected Stephen G. Whitley as president and CEO. He was senior vice president and chief operating officer of ISO New England.

Spectra Energy appointed Susan Waller vice president of stakeholder outreach. She was vice president of AMEC, Earth Environmental.

Entergy Mississippi president and CEO Carolyn Shanks is leaving that post to become senior vice president of the utility’s nuclear power company, Enexus Energy Corp., created in 2008. She is succeeded by Haley Fisackerly, now v.p. of governmental affairs for Entergy Nuclear.

Ameren Corp. named Michael Moehn senior vice president, corporate planning and business risk management.

Peabody Energy promoted Michael C. Crews to executive vice president and CFO from v.p. of operations planning. Robert C. Hammond was named chief operating officer of Australian Operations from group v.p. of Southwest operations in the United States.

PPL EnergyPlus announced Robert D. Gabbard as president. He succeeds Clarence (Joe) Hopf, who left to join Public Service Enterprise Group.

Pepco Holdings, Inc. announced Hallie M. Reese, vice president, gas delivery for subsidiary, Delmarva Power, assumed the role of v.p., safety and strategic service. Mike Poncia replaces her as director, gas delivery for Delmarva Power, from process manager, customer relationship management.

Consumers Energy named Daniel J. Malone to the new position of vice president of energy operations and safety.

Elster Gas North America named Tod Bradley as senior product manager, gas measurement and control for Elster American Meter.

First Solar announced the following executive appointments: Ken Schultz as executive vice president, advanced development; John Carrington as executive v.p., global marketing and business development; and Jim Miller as executive v.p., product and global supply chain management.

The Energy Bar Association announced the succession of Donna M. Attanasio to president. She is a partner at White & Case.

Fulbright & Jaworski added three lawyers to its global energy practice. Partners Lisa Tonery and Erik Swenson joined Fulbright from King & Spalding. Mark Tibberts came from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.

Blank Rome announced Nicholas A. Giannasca joined the firm’s energy practice as partner.

Schiff Hardin named Sherry A. Quirk leader of the firm’s energy group.

Board Elections:Spectra Energy announced that Michael McShane, recently retired chairman, president and CEO at GrantPrideco, Inc., was elected to its board of directors.

The 11 incumbents on CMS Energy’s board were re-elected, including Kenneth Whipple, chairman of CMS Energy and subsidiary, Consumers Energy; and David Joos, president and CEO of CMS and Consumers Energy. The following are independent directors: Merribel S. Ayres, Jon E. Barfield, Richard M. Gabrys, Philip R. Lochner Jr., Michael T. Monahan, Joseph F. Paquette Jr., Percy A. Pierre, Kenneth L. Way, and John B. Yasinsky. The incumbents also were re-elected to the board of Consumers Energy.

Long-time El Paso Electric board member Kenneth R. Heitz was elected as chairman, replacing retiring Chairman George W. Edwards, Jr.

Nicor Inc. appointed John C. (Jack) Staley to its board, and the board of subsidiary Nicor Gas.

Hawaiian Electric Co. announced Alan Oshima joined its board. Oshima is director and senior advisor at Hawaiian Telcom.

NW Natural elected Russell F. Tromley as board chairman, succeeding Richard G. Reiten who retired.

Retirements: Hawaiian Electric Co. President and CEO T. Michael May announced he would retire effective Aug. 1, 2008.

Arch Coal Senior Vice President and CFO Robert J. Messey retired from the company April 30, and John T. Drexler, vice president of finance and accounting, was named his successor.

NiSource announced that Michael W. O’Donnell, executive vice president and CFO, will retire in 2009.

Resignations: The New York Power Authority’s Roger Kelly resigned as president and CEO effective Aug. 1.

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