A senior-level retirement has given Cheryl LaFleur an opportunity to put her stamp on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission during her brief chairmanship.

LaFleur announced last week that Michael C. McLaughlin, director of the Office of Energy Market Regulation (OEMR), is retiring Dec. 1 after 30 years at the agency. LaFleur appointed Jamie Simler, currently director of the Office of Energy Policy and Innovation (OEPI), as his successor.

Replacing Simler as head of OEPI will be Arnie Quinn, currently director of OEPI’s Division of Economic and Technical Analysis.

Last month, LaFleur promoted David Morenoff to General Counsel, where he had been serving in an acting capacity for nearly two years.

First Meeting for Bay

Last week’s meeting was the first since the Aug. 20 resignation of Commissioner John Norris and the first for Norman Bay, former director of the Office of Enforcement, as commissioner. (Bay’s deputy, Larry Gasteiger, succeeded him as acting director.)

Bay announced that two of Norris’ former aides, Laura Vendetta and Benjamin Williams, have joined Bay’s staff as confidential assistant and program analyst, respectively. Bay also introduced his three other advisors: Bob Kennedy, formerly of the Solicitor’s Office; Janel Burdick, formerly in Enforcement’s Division of Analytics and Surveillance; and Tatyana Kramskaya, a former manager in OEMR’s East Branch.

LaFleur announced that former Norris aide Andy Weinstein had joined her office as legal advisor.

Honorable’s Schedule Unclear

Meanwhile, hopes for a pre-election confirmation hearing for Colette Honorable are in doubt following the Sept. 7 death of Honorable’s husband, Rickey Earl Honorable, 46. President Obama nominated Honorable, chairman of the Arkansas Public Service Commission, to replace Norris on Aug. 28.