The Utilities Service Alliance (USA) Board of Directors has announced that President and CEO Carl Parry has decided to retire effective Feb. 1, 2017.

Parry, who has led USA since its incorporation in 1996, submitted his intention to retire at the Nov. 1, 2016 USA Board of Director’s meeting. The board named John Christensen, USA Vice President of Operational Performance, to serve as acting President and CEO beginning Feb. 1, 2017.

“Carl’s leadership has been instrumental in improving the performance of nonfleet nuclear stations across the nation,” said Tim Rausch, Chairman of USA’s Board of Directors and Chief Nuclear Officer, Talen Energy. “In addition, he has built and led a flexible and adaptable organization to meet the needs of our members and the industry as we continue to operate in a rapidly changing energy environment.”

During Parry’s tenure, USA adapted to membership changes, new industry standards and economic challenges to fleet operations by strengthening USA’s founding mission to enable nonfleet nuclear generating stations to realize benefits that accrue to fleet operators. These include supply chain efficiencies, sharing resources and expertise, operational improvements, and consolidating support services. In recent years, these benefits have included projects to improve safety and operational effectiveness such as the Fukushima initiative to improve safety during “Beyond Design Basis” events, Cyber-Security response, and the Decay Heat Removal Hardening initiative.

The benefits have also included supply chain and operational savings totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. In 2015 alone, USA member utilities saved more than $48 million through a combination of programs that helped them run more safely, reliably and efficiently, and Supply Chain agreements that decrease the costs of purchasing services and owning components and equipment. These savings allow plants to respond to challenges more flexibly and dedicate resources where they are most needed.

“We will remain a safer, more reliable fleet thanks to Carl and his dedicated team,” Rausch said.

“I am very thankful for the opportunity to have worked with so many great people from the USA stations, our supplier-partners and the nuclear industry at large,” Parry said.  “I have particularly enjoyed working with board members and the amazing people who have served as members of the USA staff over the years.  These are certainly some of the most dedicated and committed people I have ever encountered.”

Following Parry’s retirement, Christensen will serve as the alliance’s Acting President and CEO to provide continuity for USA’s mission. Christensen has been a leader for USA’s Operational Performance efforts since 2009. His career in nuclear energy includes serving as Plant Manager at Cooper Nuclear Station as well as General Manager – Support for Nebraska Public Power District. The board expects to name a permanent successor by September 2017.

USA is an alliance of six utilities operating seven nuclear power stations including Columbia, Comanche Peak, Fermi, Monticello, Prairie Island, Susquehanna and South Texas. Combined, they generate more than 12,000 megawatts of energy. In addition to administering a network of more than 60 nuclear suppliers, USA helps its members leverage their combined resources, talent and expertise to serve their customers with clean, safe, reliable and cost-efficient energy. It is on the web at www.usainc.org