B&W chief operating officer to retire but remain CEO of joint venture for Y-12/Pantex bid

The Babcock and Wilcox Co. announced Monday that Mary Pat Salomone, senior vice president and chief operating officer, will retire effective June 30 after 31 years with the company.

But Salomone will continue serving as chief executive officer of Nuclear Production Partners LLC, or NP2, the B&W-led joint venture competing for the U.S. Department of Energy contract to manage and operate Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and Pantex Plant near Amarillo, Texas. B&W is now the lead management and operating contractor at the two plants.

“I want to personally thank Mary Pat for her long-term service and leadership with the Company,” said E. James Ferland, B&W president and chief executive officer. “Mary Pat’s experience and vision as a leader have helped drive critical business initiatives that have contributed to our company’s overall growth.”

In a press release, Ferland said the company, which is headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., has been planning for Salomone to assume the NP2 role and is well-positioned for a smooth transition.

During her tenure with B&W, Salomone held roles of increasing responsibility, including a number of critical senior leadership positions within Babcock and Wilcox Power Generation Group Inc., and Babcock and Wilcox Nuclear Operations Group Inc., the press release said. She also served as president and CEO of Marine Mechanical Corporation from 2001 through 2007, when the company was acquired by B&W.

The press release said Salomone is a graduate of Youngstown State University and was recognized with the institution’s Outstanding Alumni Award from the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. She was also selected by the Manufacturing Institute and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers to receive the 2013 Women in Manufacturing STEP Award, which recognizes women and their achievements within manufacturing organizations.

Salomone serves on the board of directors of TransCanada Corporation and the Naval Submarine League. She is a member of the advisory board for the School of Engineering at the University of Akron and the advisory board for the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics at the Youngstown State University.