PHOENIX — Arizona Public Service Co. announced last week that Adam Heflin has been named executive vice president and chief nuclear officer at the Palo Verde Generating Station, effective Monday.
Heflin succeeds Maria Lacal, who recently announced her intent to retire after a distinguished 41-year career in the commercial nuclear industry.
Heflin previously served as CEO and CNO of the Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation in Kansas until his retirement in 2019. Prior to that, he was the CNO at Ameren’s Callaway Energy Center in Missouri.
Heflin worked with Palo Verde this year as part of its Offsite Safety Review Committee and has served on the board of the STARS Alliance, a collaborative alliance of four western U.S. utilities who operate nuclear generating stations.
“Adam was selected to be our next CNO in large part because of his demonstrated ability to achieve and maintain excellent operational and financial performance at nuclear plants similar to Palo Verde,” said APS Chairman and CEO Jeff Guldner.
“I’m confident that he will continue the tradition of excellence we’ve re-established at Palo Verde, and I’m excited for him to bring his energy and expertise to our leadership team.”
Heflin began his nuclear career in the United States Navy, followed by positions at Entergy’s Arkansas Nuclear One. Heflin holds a B.S. in Mechanical and General Engineering from Arkansas Tech University and has previously served on the boards of both the Nuclear Energy Institute and the Institute for Nuclear Power Operations.
Lacal will remain with APS through August to complete a thorough transition with Heflin and fulfill several industry commitments. Until then, she will serve as executive vice president and advisor to the CEO.
