---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001031296-22-000026"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "FE"
cik: "0001031296"
company_name: "FIRSTENERGY CORP"
filed_at: "2022-05-17T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-25T11:01:04.193422+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# FirstEnergy appoints John W. Somerhalder II as Board Chair, elects two new directors

## Summary
- John Somerhalder named Chair of the Board, effective immediately; executive role ends May 20.
- Lisa Winston Hicks elected Lead Independent Director for one-year term.
- Shareholders reelected 10 directors and elected new directors Jana Croom and Sean Klimczak.
- Two shareholder proposals (EV labor audit, 10% special meeting threshold) defeated.
- CEO Strah highlights $17B sustainable investment plan for 2021-2025 and ESG progress.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001031296-22-000026
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: FE
- cik: 0001031296
- company_name: FIRSTENERGY CORP
- filed_at: 2022-05-17T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 5.07, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1031296/000103129622000026/0001031296-22-000026-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1031296/000103129622000026/fe-20220517.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001031296-22-000026
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001031296-22-000026.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001031296-22-000026.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  John W. Somerhalder II was appointed as Chair of the Board at FIRSTENERGY CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chair of the Board
  source text: On May 17, 2022, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of FirstEnergy Corp. (the “Company”) appointed Mr. John W. Somerhalder II, who has been serving as Vice Chair and Executive Director since March 2021, as Chair of the Board, effective immediately.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1031296/000103129622000026/0001031296-22-000026-index.htm
- Executive change
  John W. Somerhalder II departed as Vice Chair and Executive Director at FIRSTENERGY CORP.
  - Action: ended
  - Role: Vice Chair and Executive Director
  source text: In connection with Mr. Somerhalder’s appointment as Chair of the Board, his employment as an executive of the Company will end effective May 20, 2022.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1031296/000103129622000026/0001031296-22-000026-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.