The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has appointed Don Moul as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective April 9, 2025. This leadership transition follows the retirement announcement of Jeff Lyash, who had led the nation’s largest public utility since 2019.
Moul, who has served as TVA’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since June 2021, brings over 38 years of experience in power generation and operations. His tenure at TVA has been marked by significant achievements, including advancing nuclear technologies and leading efforts to meet record-breaking power demands during extreme weather events. Under his leadership, TVA has consistently delivered strong safety performance and operational excellence.
“TVA needs a steady hand right now,” Moul stated upon his appointment. “I will build on the momentum that Jeff and our team have created—making sure we continue to invest in new generation, strengthen our grid, and enhance system reliability.”
Moul’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for TVA, as the utility navigates increasing energy demands across its seven-state service area, which includes Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. The region is experiencing growth at approximately three times the national average, prompting TVA to make significant investments in its power system. Over the past decade, TVA has invested over $22 billion, including $4 billion in 2024 alone, to modernize infrastructure and enhance energy resilience.
Moul’s extensive background in nuclear energy positions him to lead TVA’s efforts in developing next-generation nuclear technologies. He has served as a licensed senior reactor operator at multiple nuclear stations and held leadership roles at FirstEnergy Corporation and NextEra Energy, where he was responsible for the safe and reliable operation of nuclear fleets. Additionally, Moul was appointed by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee to serve on the Tennessee Nuclear Energy Advisory Council, focusing on nuclear innovation and investment in the state’s energy future.
The leadership change at TVA has not been without political implications. In the weeks leading up to Moul’s appointment, President Donald Trump removed several TVA board members, including Michelle Moore, an appointee of former President Joe Biden. This action left the board with five members and four vacancies, below the quorum required for certain decisions. Tennessee Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty had urged for the selection of an interim CEO aligned with the President’s energy policies, particularly concerning nuclear technology development.
Despite the political backdrop, TVA’s Board Chairman Joe Ritch expressed confidence in Moul’s leadership, stating, “Don’s vision, depth of industry knowledge, and favorability among TVA employees position him well to unleash TVA’s potential from Day One, with little to no learning curve.”
As CEO, Moul is expected to continue TVA’s mission of providing affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy to its 10 million customers. His focus will include investing in new generation capacity, strengthening the grid, and enhancing system reliability to support the region’s economic growth and energy needs.
