For the first time in its history the Cook Nuclear Plant near Bridgman will have a woman at the helm. Kelley Ferneau has been elevated to Plant Manager, marking the first female plant manager since construction was first launched nearly 50 years ago.
Ferneau was Plant Operations Director until her promotion this week, as Indiana Michigan Power Company shared the news that she is the sixteenth person to hold the position of Plant Manager since construction began on the nuclear power facility along Lake Michigan in 1969.
Shane Lies is the Cook Site Vice President, and he says, “Kelly’s skill set goes well beyond the necessary plant operational knowledge and experience. She has a unique combination of resolve, humility and the leadership ability to develop teams and work for the greater good of the organization.” Lies adds, “We’re looking for great things for Cook with Kelly’s expanded role and influence.”
Kelly Ferneau joined I&M in 2013 as operations manager. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Trine University in Angola, Indiana. She previously worked for Entergy at Palisades Nuclear Plant. She started her career with Exelon and held various positions with them, including a senior reactor operator’s license and she was a shift manager at Byron Nuclear Station. Ferneau and her husband, Mike, live in Benton Harbor.
The new Plant Manager says, “Running a nuclear power plant is an awesome responsibility, and I want the community and employees to know that I will always put their health and safety above all else.” Kelly adds, “I didn’t think much about being the first female plant manager until I started hearing from friends, particularly women, in the organization. Nuclear power, and specifically Operations, has historically been a male-dominated field. I am proud and honored to help pave the way for other women, and will do my best to be a good role model and mentor for both women and men.”
Indiana Michigan Power is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Electric Power, and Cook Units 1 & 2 operate along Red Arrow Highway, just north of Bridgman in Lake Charter Township.
Cook Plant Manager Kelly Ferneau
