Ted Lyons, the founder and president of H.T. Lyons, Inc., the Lehigh Valley's largest mechanical contracting firm and a subsidiary of PPL Corp., has announced that he is stepping down as president.

Lyons, 56, will continue to be involved in the business in a community relations and business development role. He plans to use the opportunity to spend more time with his family, and more time on his varied and extensive community service activities.

Joe Burns, president of Burns Mechanical, Inc., another PPL subsidiary, will assume the additional role of president of H.T. Lyons. No immediate changes are planned at either company as a result of the management change.

"Ted Lyons' entrepreneurial spirit has been an example to us, and his knowledge of the mechanical contracting business has been invaluable," said William F. Hecht, PPL chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We wish Ted the best of luck in the future, and we're grateful that he will continue to play a role in the business moving forward."

PPL acquired H.T. Lyons in early 1998. The company, founded by Ted Lyons in 1973, had $37 million in revenues at the time of its acquisition. It provides construction and maintenance services related to air conditioning, heating, plumbing and process piping.

Ted Lyons' community service activities have included volunteer leadership or advisory roles at United Way, the Salvation Army, Boys and Girls clubs, Easter Seals, Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales, Lehigh Valley Business Conference on Health Care, Allentown Symphony, Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and Pennsylvania Stage Co.

Burns, 44, started his career as a steamfitter apprentice and worked his way up through the mechanical contracting business, serving in various management roles at several companies before founding Burns Mechanical in 1998. He holds an associate degree in business administration from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and has completed executive and graduate level courses at the University of Pennsylvania.

"Our main focus at H.T. Lyons has always been on the customer. The people here have made this company successful by providing superior customer service, and by being flexible enough to change as conditions warrant," said Lyons. "I'm confident that that record of success will continue under Joe Burns' leadership."

Rick Perosa, vice president of H.T. Lyons, has been named executive vice president and chief operating officer of Lyons and will continue his role of managing the daily business development and operating functions at the company.

In addition to H.T. Lyons and Burns Mechanical, PPL also owns three other mechanical contracting firms: Western Mass. Holdings, McCarl's and McClure. Together, these companies provide a wide range of energy services to business and commercial customers under the umbrella of PPL EnergyPlus.