Dennis Murphy, who has served as superintendent of one of PP&L, Inc.'s largest fossil-fueled generating stations since 1991, has been named the company's vice president-Power Production & Engineering.

Murphy, who has 27 years of experience in the company's power plant operations, replaces Bob Shovlin, who will retire Jan. 1. Shovlin has served as the company's vice president-Power Production & Engineering for seven years.

"Bob Shovlin provided outstanding leadership in both the construction and operation of PP&L, Inc.'s fleet of power plants, which is among the best-operating in the country," said William F. Hecht, PP&L chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We wish him all the best in his retirement."

Hecht also commented that Dennis Murphy brings a wealth of experience to his new position.

"Dennis has provided exceptional leadership in a number of key Power Production positions over more than 25 years," said Hecht. "He is uniquely qualified to lead our power plants in the years to come." The company expects to more than double its electricity generating capacity, to 20,000 megawatts, over the next four years, Hecht said.

Murphy, who will report to Bob Byram, senior vice president-Generation, joined the company as an engineer in 1972, working in various Power Production positions before being named technical supervisor at Brunner Island in 1981. He served as supervisor of Martins Creek 1 & 2 and manager of Power Production maintenance and performance services for the department before returning to Martins Creek in 1989 as supervisor of maintenance. After a brief rotation in Human Resource & Development, Murphy was named superintendent of the Holtwood plant in 1990 and to the Brunner Island superintendent position six months later.

Murphy earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Penn State University.