Pierre Simon (1885–1977)
Pierre Simon | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1885 |
| Died | 1977 |
| Occupation(s) | Civil engineer, company executive |
| Years active | 1924–1947 |
| Known for | First président-directeur général (PDG) of Électricité de France (EDF) |
Pierre Simon (1885–1977) was the inaugural président-directeur général (PDG) of Électricité de France (EDF) and actively participated in the French Resistance. A graduate of the École polytechnique, he launched his professional journey as a civil engineer in Gap, Hautes-Alpes. In 1924, he took on the role of Chief of Staff to the Minister of Public Works. The following year, Simon became Chief Engineer for Forces hydrauliques overseeing dam projects in Grenoble, and subsequently directed the Department of Roads and Bridges in Isère. By 1936, he joined the Ministry of Public Works' Direction des Forces Hydrauliques et des Distributions d'Énergie électrique, where he was instrumental in the 1938 des 3 milliards initiative aimed at modernizing France's electrical infrastructure. He also engaged with the Fédération de l'Éclairage to enhance workforce organization.
After the June 1940 restructuring under Vichy France, an Electric Directory was established within the Ministry of Industrial Production. Simon was removed from his position in October and reassigned to the Conseil général des ponts et chaussées. He then transitioned to the private sector, managing operations at Durand, l'Entreprise Industrielle. Throughout World War II, Simon remained involved with the Resistance, sustaining connections with Marcel Paul and the clandestine Fédération illégale de l'Éclairage. He contributed to post-liberation discussions within the commission responsible for nationalizing electricity under the CNR, ultimately accepting Marcel Paul's proposal to become EDF's first PDG.
In early 1947, confronted with governmental demands led by Robert Lacoste to enforce staffing adjustments and pricing regulations on EDF-GDF, Simon tendered his resignation on 2 May. He subsequently returned to Durand and was later recognized as Honorary Chair until his passing.