President – West Virginia Operations, FirstEnergy Corp.
LinkedIn: Holly Kauffman
By Katie Allie
Growing up in Charleroi, PA, Holly Kauffman’s childhood career goals evolved from running a horse ranch to being a nurse or teacher, choices that, in hindsight, show a natural tendency toward leadership and caring for others. When her mother encouraged her to research careers that matched up with her strengths and captured her interests instead of settling for the traditional female careers of the time, a whole world of opportunity opened up for her. “My mother told me I could do anything, and I believed her,” says Kauffman. Today, as the president of West Virginia operations for FirstEnergy Corp., Kauffman says she got to where she is by setting standards for herself that exceeded those set for her by others.
After graduating from Penn State with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, Kauffman began her career at Allegheny Power, which became FirstEnergy Corp. in 2011. She worked her way up through the company, starting out as a programmer analyst. With her career on track, she continued her education, earning a master’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, an MBA from Duquesne University and a Six Sigma green belt certification.
The imprint Kauffman has left on her community is one of leadership and concern for the well-being of others, characteristics that have proven to be particularly beneficial within her many volunteer roles. She currently serves as the board vice president of the United Way of Marion County and participated in the organization’s 2014 Dancing with the Stars fundraiser. At the event, she and her dance partner won the first-place Judges’ Choice Award as well as the People’s Choice Award for raising the most money. She is also the recipient of the United Way’s Rev. Donal “Jack” M. Squires Award in recognition of her volunteerism, leadership and contributions to the overall success of the campaign.
Kauffman serves on the boards of the Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce and the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, both of which she chose for their role in supporting the business community, and she sits on the West Virginia Roundtable, which works closely with the state chamber of commerce to attract and keep businesses in West Virginia. As the state president, she helps distribute funds from the FirstEnergy Foundation to benefit West Virginia communities and initiatives. She is also a strong advocate of employee participation in FirstEnergy’s annual Harvest for Hunger, which benefits local food banks.
“I think we all need to recognize how fortunate we are,” Kauffman says of the reason she inspires others to give back. “We all have something we can share. Giving back, whether it is through time, talent or donations, is an impactful way to help others’ lives be a bit easier.”
Kauffman also sees great value in filling the role of mentor. “No one can succeed on their own,” she says. “Mentoring is about paying it forward—opening doors for the next generation of leaders, pushing them beyond their comfort zones and encouraging them to believe in themselves.”
Kauffman plays just as hard as she works. A veteran marathon runner, she has ventured on a South African safari, loves skiing in West Virginia in the winter and is currently working on perfecting the role of grandmother. She finds beauty in everything, from her travels to her grandsons, and for her, the beauty of living in West Virginia lies in its people. “Once they get to know you, they treat you like family,” she says. “Your word and a handshake really mean something here.”
Kauffman’s motivation is found in challenging and supporting others to accomplish more than they thought possible. “I get the greatest satisfaction from seeing individuals move up in the company or achieve something they thought was impossible,” she says. “If by the time I retire, I am remembered by even one person as having been a small part of their success, I myself will have succeeded.”
1983 – Received a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Penn State University and worked as a computer science graduate student and teaching assistant at Penn State University
1984 – Hired as a programmer analyst at Allegheny Power
1988 – Promoted to supervisor of power control computer support
1991 – Received a master’s degree in industrial engineering from University of Pittsburgh
1994 – Promoted to supervisor of system operations engineering
1996 – Promoted to supervisor of computer support
1998 – Promoted to general manager of operations systems technology
2001 – Promoted to general manager of operations and received an MBA from Duquesne University
2006 – Promoted to director of transmission projects, including oversight of the TrAIL project and received Six Sigma green belt certification
2011 – Promoted to director, extra high-voltage (EHV) projects and the TrAIL line was energized
2012 – Named president of FirstEnergy’s WV operations
