1980
1985
1983 Received a bachelor’s
degree in computer science
from Penn State University
1984 Hired as a programmer
analyst at Allegheny Power
1990
1991 Received a master’s
degree in industrial
engineering from
University of Pittsburgh
1995
1998 Promoted to general
manager of operations
systems technology
2000
2001 Promoted to general
manager of operations
and received an MBA from
Duquesne University
2005
2006 Promoted to director
of transmission projects,
including oversight of the
TrAIL project
2010
2011 The TrAIL line
was energized
2012 Named president of
FirstEnergy’s WV operations
“If by the time I retire, I am
remembered by even one
person as having been a small
part of their success, I myself
will have succeeded.”
the University of Pittsburgh, an MBA from
Duquesne University and a Six Sigma
green belt certification.
The imprint Kauffman has left on her
community is one of leadership and concern for the well-being of others, characteristics that have proven to be particularly
beneficial within her many volunteer roles.
She currently serves as the board vice president of the United Way of Marion County
and participated in the organization’s 2014
Dancing with the Stars fundraiser. At the
event, she and her dance partner won the
first-place Judges’ Choice Award as well
as the People’s Choice Award for raising
the most money. She is also the recipient
of the United Way’s Rev. Donal “Jack”
M. Squires Award in recognition of her
volunteerism, leadership and contributions
to the overall success of the campaign.
Kauffman serves on the boards of the
Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce
and the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, both of which she chose for their
role in supporting the business community, and she sits on the West Virginia
Roundtable, which works closely with
the state chamber of commerce to attract
and keep businesses in West Virginia. As
the state president, she helps distribute
funds from the FirstEnergy Foundation
to benefit West Virginia communities and
initiatives. She is also a strong advocate
of employee participation in FirstEnergy’s
annual Harvest for Hunger, which benefits local food banks.
“I think we all need to recognize how
fortunate we are,” Kauffman says of the
reason she inspires others to give back.
“We all have something we can share.
Giving back, whether it is through time,
talent or donations, is an impactful way
to help others’ lives be a bit easier.”
Kauffman also sees great value in filling
the role of mentor. “No one can succeed
on their own,” she says. “Mentoring is
about paying it forward—opening doors
for the next generation of leaders, pushing
them beyond their comfort zones and encouraging them to believe in themselves.”
Kauffman plays just as hard as she
works. A veteran marathon runner, she has
ventured on a South African safari, loves
skiing in West Virginia in the winter and
is currently working on perfecting the role
of grandmother. She finds beauty in everything, from her travels to her grandsons,
and for her, the beauty of living in West
Virginia lies in its people. “Once they get
to know you, they treat you like family,”
she says. “Your word and a handshake
really mean something here.”
Kauffman’s motivation is found in challenging and supporting others to accomplish more than they thought possible. “I
get the greatest satisfaction from seeing
individuals move up in the company or
achieve something they thought was impossible,” she says. “If by the time I retire,
I am remembered by even one person as
having been a small part of their success,
I myself will have succeeded.”
2015
www.wvexecutive.com
summer 2016
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