An honor that retired FirstEnergy Executive Chairman, President and CEO Tony Alexander will receive Wednesday will have extra special meaning for him.
That’s because the award is given in honor of and named after his friend, mentor and FirstEnergy CEO predecessor, the late H. Peter Burg, known by most colleagues as “Pete.”
Alexander, 64, said he and Burg “grew up” at what would eventually become FirstEnergy together. Alexander arrived at Ohio Edison in 1972 in the tax department. Burg, who had graduated a few years before Alexander from the University of Akron, started at the utility in 1968 as a financial analyst.
Their paths crossed often, Alexander said, and Burg taught him a lot.
When Burg stepped down temporarily in December 2003 for treatment for his leukemia, the FirstEnergy board named Alexander to be Burg’s temporary replacement. When Burg died a little more than three weeks later, the board named Alexander his successor. He would stay on as CEO for 11 years until his retirement last April.
Alexander said receiving the award named after Burg “is very meaningful to me.”
“He didn’t get a chance to enjoy his retirement. He didn’t get a chance to fully enjoy being CEO,” said Alexander. “I’m just pleased to have been considered and offered the award.”
Burg worked tirelessly to develop the region’s economy in community development, often offering his key FirstEnergy people, in addition to himself, said Greater Akron Chamber President and CEO Dan Colantone.
Similarly, Alexander did the same when he was chair-elect and chairman of the chamber board in 2004 and 2005.
Alexander and other chamber leaders led the way in bringing consultant Rebecca Ryan back to Akron after she initially spoke at the chamber’s annual meeting, Colantone said. In 2005, Ryan studied and energized the community on ways it must attract and retain young professionals.
Alexander was also “one of the go-to CEOs when the city, county, chamber or philanthropic community was looking at a challenge or opportunity and we needed to convene the CEOs around an issue or challenge. He would deploy his management team,” Colantone said.
Since retiring last year after 43 years at FirstEnergy and its predecessor companies, Alexander said he’s been enjoying life with his wife, Becky, and four grandkids.
He’s still getting used to what it means to be retired, he said, or “now that I’ve grown up, what do I want to do?”
Since last fall, Alexander has been an executive-in-residence at the University of Akron’s College of Business Administration.
Alexander said it’s an opportunity for him to interact with students, often speaking to them at the invitation of professors.
“It gives students a chance to talk to a former CEO and ask what it’s like to be in the business,” said Alexander. He also helps them build their communication skills. He has no set hours and tries to be at the business school a few days a week.
A graduate of UA, Alexander also serves on the advisory board to the school’s trustees.
When asked about the recent turmoil at the university, Alexander declined to talk specifically about UA President Scott Scarborough but said: “The university is an absolutely outstanding asset for the city. It’s made up of fabulous students, outstanding faculty and staff and it’s just going to keep getting better.”
Alexander will receive his honor during the chamber’s annual meeting on Wednesday at the John S. Knight Convention Center, from 5 to 8 p.m. Limited tickets are still available by contacting the chamber at www.greaterakronchamber.org or Sarah Vojtek at 330-237-1254.
Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her @blinfisherABJ on Twitter or www.facebook.com/BettyLinFisherABJ and see all her stories at www.ohio.com/betty.