Doug Mokoid's journey to becoming FirstEnergy's new President for New Jersey feels like the perfect plot twist in a captivating story, one tied intricately to the state's utility industry.

"It's a love story," Mokoid smiles, reflecting on the serendipitous turn of events that brought him here.

Taking the reins of Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) in June, Mokoid's life is deeply entwined with New Jersey's utility legacy. His father, a dedicated employee at PSE&G in Newark, moved to Salem County during the construction of the nuclear plant. There, he met Mokoid's mother, setting in motion a family history rooted in service and commitment to New Jersey.

A proud "Jersey guy" at heart, Mokoid grew up in Pennsville, earning his mechanical engineering degree from Rutgers University, followed by a law degree from Rutgers-Camden—all while balancing work and family life.

His career took off at PSE&G, where he honed his skills in engineering before leading significant projects at PECO in Philadelphia. He later ascended through the ranks at Atlantic City Electric (ACE), eventually serving as Vice President & Region President for ACE and Delmarva Power.

"Initially, I considered myself a South Jersey guy," he admits. "But now, in my role at JCP&L, I embrace the whole Central and North Jersey experience, and I'm loving it."

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At JCP&L, Mokoid sees incredible potential in the impact the company has on local communities and the state.

"We cover 42% of the state, and that's a tremendous responsibility," he said. "We're more than an electric company, we're your neighbors. Our employees live in the communities we serve, coaching local youth teams and volunteering for nonprofits. We are not just in New Jersey; we are New Jersey. Our mission is to ensure that our customers feel JCP&L is energizing their lives."

Mokoid dove headfirst into the challenges of a storm-ridden summer, starting his first week on the job. Managing back-to-back storm restoration efforts for 10 weekends tested his leadership.

"It was a tough initiation, but I was incredibly impressed by our dedicated employees who are genuinely invested in the communities we serve," he said. "They rose to the occasion, and their commitment gives me confidence as we prepare for future challenges."

One of Mokoid's top priorities at JCP&L is to further strengthen the power grid and continue to reduce outages for customers, emphasizing the need for boosting reliability in a cost-conscious manner.

"Enhanced service reliability is a top priority, and we must strive to be leaders in the industry. This means investing in our infrastructure to decrease both the frequency and duration of outages," he said.

Mokoid outlined a comprehensive approach of upgrading neighborhood power lines, enhancing transmission and substation infrastructure, additional proactive tree management (the primary cause of outages in New Jersey) and incorporating more smart technologies to help reduce service disruptions.

Beyond infrastructure, community engagement is close to Mokoid's heart. He emphasizes the importance of JCP&L's involvement in local initiatives, especially in underserved areas. The company is making strides in workforce development and increasing charitable contributions, with plans for more than $500,000 in grants in 2024.

This year alone, JCP&L has also spent more than $114 million with diverse suppliers, with 27.5% of the spending in-state, showcasing both JCP&L and Mokoid's commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion.

"Leading JCP&L is a source of immense pride for me as a lifelong Jersey guy, and I'm dedicated to being there for our customers and communities every step of the way to help ensure JCP&L fulfills its promise to power New Jersey's future," Mokoid concludes, his passion shining through as he looks ahead to a brighter, more reliable future for the state he loves.