​Five FirstEnergy Utilities (FEU) employees were honored for their acts of bravery and compassion at the fourth annual FirstEnergy Hero Awards Program on May 16. Award winners were the guests of honor at a ceremony prior to a Cleveland Indians game at Progressive Field.

Congratulations to gold level award winner
Tony Reams, credit representative, Toledo Edison; Silver level award recipient
Josh Gorham, account supervisor, Revenue Operations; Bronze level award honoree
Kevin McCleary, manager, Regional Fleet & Facility Services, Mon Power; and honorable mention level winners
Kevin Raney, meter technician, Potomac Edison, and
Dan Stablein, troubleman, Penelec.

“I’m proud of our employees who step up in times of need and act as a hero to those around them,” said President & CEO
Chuck Jones. “Their selfless acts of courage and caring, which have made a tremendous difference in another’s life, are an inspiration to us all.”

FirstEnergy’s Hero Awards Program recognizes employees who make our company – and the communities we serve – a better place to live and work because they took the time to care. Sixteen nominations were received and reviewed by a selection committee, representing business units across the company. Final selections were made and presented to Chuck for gold, silver, bronze and honorable mention awards.

More About Our Heroes

Tony Reams
Gold Winner
Toledo Edison Regional Headquarters

Tony stopped to assist a motorist found unconscious behind the wheel. After taking charge at the scene, he and a friend performed CPR until the man’s pulse returned. Relying on knowledge from his most recent safety training, Tony advised his friend not to administer mouth-to-mouth breathing to the victim, who had taken fentanyl. The drug can transfer unknowingly to first responders.

Josh Gorham
Silver Winner
Fairlawn Contact Center

Josh, who has a police training background, stepped in to save coworker
Sharon Barnes.  Sharon choked on an orange slice while at work and was unresponsive when Josh was called to assist. He quickly dislodged the obstruction from Sharon’s throat. Thanks to Josh’s intervention, she regained consciousness and has since made a full recovery.

Kevin McCleary
Bronze Winner
Parkersburg Service Center

An avid runner, Kevin was out on an early June morning when he noticed a fellow runner had collapsed. He performed chest compressions on the victim, who had experienced a heart attack, until paramedics arrived on the scene.

Kevin Raney 
Honorable Mention Winner
Martinsburg Service Center

On the road following a work assignment, Kevin stopped to assist and console a lost child by the roadside. He brought the boy to a nearby church and notified staff members of the situation. They contacted 911 and police arrived to help reunite the boy with his family.

Dan Stablein
Honorable Mention Winner
Erie Service Center

Dan took action after observing a motorist driving erratically. He safely blocked the vehicle’s pathway when it started going the wrong way down a one-way road. Dan approached the driver, who was disoriented due to low blood sugar, removed the keys from the vehicle and called 911 for help.

What Winners Receive

As the Gold winner, Tony received a $1,000 Visa® gift card, $1,000 contribution from the FirstEnergy Foundation to a charity of choice and a customized award. His charity was Lott Industries, a non-profit organization providing educational and vocational opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.

Other Hero Award recipients received the following awards:

• Silver – $750 Visa® gift card and a customized award
• Bronze – $500 Visa® gift card and a customized award
• Honorable Mention – $200 Visa® gift card and a framed award.