Joseph H. Plona, who served as senior vice president and Chief Nuclear Officer at DTE Energy’s Fermi 2, is retiring later this quarter after more than four decades in the industry.

His replacement is no stranger to the industry or to Fermi 2, a Utilities Service Alliance fleet member.

Paul Fessler, a long-time DTE executive and former Fermi plant director, replaced Plona on Dec. 29. Fessler most recently served as the senior vice president for Electrical Operations at DTE Energy.

Plona will remain at Fermi 2 to facilitate an orderly transition until his retirement in March. Plona will serve as senior vice president of Nuclear Generation and as an adviser and mentor to Fessler.

“Joe’s vision and leadership has been instrumental in guiding Fermi 2’s most significant recent accomplishments, such as the success of our first dry fuel storage campaign, Fukushima response development and overall improvements in operations, safety and reliability,” Steve Kurmas, president and Chief Operating Officer at DTE, said. “Fermi 2’s performance in numerous categories has improved and it is now among top-level performers in the industry.”

Plona has been CNO since 2012 and prior to that was site vice president.

For Fessler, being back at Fermi 2 is a homecoming.

He first joined Fermi 2 in 1977, holding a variety of positions including plant director, prior to transitioning to Fossil Generation in 2001. Fessler held leadership roles within Fossil Generation before being promoted to senior vice president for Electrical Operations, which includes both Fossil Generation and Distribution Operations.

Plona said he’s confident that Fessler will continue Fermi’s path to excellence.

“Paul’s previous leadership experience at Fermi, along with his knowledge gained in other areas of DTE Energy, will help Fermi 2 continue in our constant pursuit for the highest standards of nuclear excellence,” Plona said.

Paul Fessler