FirstEnergy Names Don Rettig VP, FirstEnergy Foundation President
The Foundation has distributed nearly $6.5 million in community support across FirstEnergy's operational area so far in 2026.
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Rhea-AI Summary
FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) has named Don Rettig vice president and FirstEnergy Foundation president to lead its philanthropic strategy and charitable investments. He will report to Wade Smith, president of FirstEnergy Utilities.
Rettig joins from Owens Corning, where he served as director of community affairs and foundation president. The FirstEnergy Foundation's 2026 giving priorities are housing stability, hunger relief, workforce development and STEM education. Its Hunger Action Month grants totaled $5 million, double 2025 support. Funding for its Shelter, Safety and Stability initiative increased to $500,000, five times its 2025 investment.
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Experienced philanthropy leader to help advance Foundation's strategic community investment priorities
In this role, Rettig will lead the Foundation's philanthropic strategy and oversee charitable investments that support communities across FirstEnergy's operational area. He will work closely with company leaders and organizations to advance the Foundation's charitable giving priorities. He will report to Wade Smith, President, FirstEnergy Utilities.
Wade Smith, President, FirstEnergy Utilities: "The Foundation is one of the ways we give back and make a difference beyond the work we do every day. Don has spent his career bringing companies and communities together and knows that doing this work well means understanding community needs, building relationships and being disciplined about where we focus our resources."
Since 2001, the FirstEnergy Foundation has donated nearly
That focused approach has led to significantly increased support in several priority areas. In 2026, the Foundation invested
Rettig joins FirstEnergy from Owens Corning, where he served as director of community affairs and president of the Owens Corning Foundation. He led the company's global community affairs and philanthropic strategy, increasing corporate contributions and helping expand the foundation's impact across 20 countries.
Before joining Owens Corning in 2011, Rettig spent 14 years with Metroparks Toledo, where he held several leadership roles, including executive director.
Rettig holds a Bachelor of Arts in history and a Master of Public Administration from Bowling Green State University. He currently serves as a trustee of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation and has held leadership roles with several nonprofit organizations.
Editor's Note: A professional photo of Don Rettig is available for download on Flickr.
About FirstEnergy Foundation
The FirstEnergy Foundation supports 501(c)(3) organizations across FirstEnergy's operational area, helping them build capacity, strengthen outcomes and deliver lasting impact. Giving priorities include housing stability, hunger relief, workforce development and STEM initiatives that reflect community needs and the company's strategic focus. Combined with the Hunger Action Month grants, the Foundation has distributed nearly
About FirstEnergy
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving more than 6 million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on X @FirstEnergyCorp or online at firstenergycorp.com.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.