AEP Retirees & Alumni

College football is a game of traditions and few people know that better than Ike Liles. Ike recently retired as the manager of distribution services for the Abilene district in AEP Texas.

The photo above shows him on Kyle Field playing football for Texas A&M. It’s a place he was never supposed to be.

On the latest episode of Connected: The AEP Employee Podcast, hear how Ike became the embodiment of one of college football’s biggest traditions – the Texas A&M 12th Man. Follow this link to listen to the episode.

Recently, the second of three wind farms started commercial operations in central Oklahoma, marking a major milestone in a project that exemplifies the future direction of American Electric Power.

Southwest of Enid, Okla., 103 GE Renewable wind turbines are now operating at the 287-megawatt (MW) Maverick Wind Farm – part of three North Central Energy facilities that will eventually provide clean energy for 440,000 homes in Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Invenergy is developing the facilities, which are being purchased after completion by Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) and Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO).

The 199-MW Sundance Wind Farm began commercial operations in April. The third and largest, the 999-MW Traverse Wind Farm, is under construction and should go into operation in early 2022. Traverse will provide two-thirds of the capacity for the North Central Energy Facilities.

“Today, a total of about 16,300 megawatts of renewable generation are interconnected across AEP’s transmission system,” said Paul Chodak, executive vice president, Generation. “In line with AEP’s strategic vision and its commitment to energy sustainability, we are transforming our Generation fleet to reduce fossil fuel capacity and advance toward clean energy to position for the future. It is with much excitement that we see the startup of operations at Maverick Wind Farm.”

“The North Central Energy Facilities project was only possible through much collaboration across AEP and with Invenergy,” said Antonio Smyth, senior vice president, Grid Solutions. “Kudos to our teams which also worked hard to obtain approvals from regulators in Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas – as well as from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

After Traverse Wind Farm begins commercial operations early next year, more than 500 wind turbines at the three facilities will produce nearly 1,500 MW of clean energy for PSO and SWEPCO customers – saving them an estimated $3 billion over the lifetime of the project. Some of the energy will support wholesale customers and provide additional capacity for future economic development in these regions.

Rockport Plant, Indiana.

Working for a major utility company, we all know that our industry is going through a historic and dramatic shift in where and how we generate electricity for our customers.

For decades, AEP invested billions of dollars in coal-fired generation plants. Today, AEP is shifting its investments from fossil fuels into wind turbine, solar power projects and other technologies. That has meant difficult decisions have been made that impact our fellow employees.

The forces behind these changes are explored in the latest episode of the [AEP Employee Podcast]: Why AEP is Moving Away from Coal.

Discussing the company’s position are Paul Chodak, executive vice president, Generation; Darcy Reese, vice president, Investor Relations; and Toby Thomas, senior vice president, Energy Delivery (at the time of the taping Thomas was president and chief operating officer of Indiana Michigan Power). The episode is hosted by Bailey Cultice, communications consultant principal.

“This is not a decision that AEP has made on its own, this is not a unilateral decision,” Chodak said citing investor pressure, the low cost of renewable power and the looming likelihood of more regulation for carbon emissions. “Straight up economics has taken us to where we are now.”

More and more, large investors want to know AEP’s plan to transition away from coal and how quickly we can do it. “They are looking at climate change,” Reese said. “It is a defining issue of our time.”

Listen to the entire episode for a detailed look into the strategy and challenges AEP faces.

Also, please check out the[ other podcast episodes] which have featured stories on AEP’s meteorology team, a Native American running program, how AEP protects the grid and much more.

AEP Community Engagement is pleased to announce the 2021 Making a Difference Grant program, including new elements to promote participation and allow more time to conduct activities.

Employees can apply for up to $300 to help fund local projects that involve at least five AEP active or retired employees in partnership with a school or nonprofit organization.  This year’s grant program include two new elements. Projects are no longer limited to the month of October. Project coordinators will use the [Caring Together] volunteer website to promote and manage the activity as well as record volunteer hours.

Due to the on-going and evolving issues related to Covid-19, projects should be virtual or comply with current AEP COVID 19 safety precautions.

The deadline to submit applications is September 13, 2021.

To learn more about the grant program, see the [Community & Education Relations] website on AEP Now. 

Complete an on-line application at AEP.com/AEPMDgrant    

The Electric Highway Coalition (EHC) has doubled the number of companies committed to enabling long distance electric vehicle (EV) travel through a network of DC fast charging stations connecting major highway systems.

Membership in the EHC – which is committed to helping enable long distance all-electric travel by adding fast charging stations along U.S. highway routes – has now grown to include AVANGRID, Consolidated Edison, DTE Energy, Eversource Energy, Exelon, FirstEnergy Corp., ITC Holdings Corp., and National Grid. Formed in March 2021, EHC began its membership with American Electric Power, Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, Entergy Corporation, Southern Co., and the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Together, the 14 members – representing 29 states and the District of Columbia and serving more than 60 million customers – are committed to growing corridor EV charging solutions within their service territories and working with other members to ensure the charging resources enabled EV drivers convenient charging options and seamless travel routes.

In addition to expanding membership, the EHC has further defined its goals and objectives while beginning cooperation in pursuit of their shared objective. The members have agreed to work together to ensure efficient and effective fast charging deployment plans that enable long distance EV travel, avoid duplication among coalition utilities, and complement existing corridor fast charging sites. Ideally, EHC members are pursuing sites that are easily accessible for drivers located less than 100 miles apart. The EHC is also committed to providing a positive charging experience for drivers, including having at least two charging stations with universal vehicle compatibility, and additional features where feasible, such as real-time status reporting for drivers and convenient payment collection. DC Fast charging stations are typically capable of getting drivers back on the road in 20-30 minutes. However, the member companies are working closely with stakeholders in their service territories to determine the best approaches to support effective EV charging buildout. Additionally, each member company will determine its own specific pricing models and select their own charging equipment providers.

“AEP helped bring the initial members of the Electric Highway Coalition together. In just a few months we have been able to more than double the number of companies who want to be part of this unprecedented effort,” said Nicholas K. Akins, AEP’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Every major car maker has announced production of EVs for every lifestyle – from pickup trucks to performance cars – and our industry is prepared to ensure that drivers can travel wherever the road takes them. Through the EHC, we can make sure that our nation’s charging infrastructure is built to enable travel and make the most efficient use of the energy grid.”

AEP has committed to replacing its 2,300 cars and light-duty trucks with EV models by 2030. Additional medium- and heavy-duty vehicles will transition to hybrid or electric alternatives as models become available. The charging network announced today also will enable AEP employees to use EVs to travel throughout the company’s 11-state service territory. AEP also is working with select customers across its service territory to help them understand the benefits of electrifying their own vehicle fleets or business processes.

Across its service territory, AEP is working with regulators to create programs that benefit all customers and support EV adoption, such as off-peak charging programs, incentives for charging station installations, energy efficiency rebates, and consultative services to encourage electrification.

In 2018, AEP Ohio launched a $10 million program to deploy 375 charging stations in partnership with local governments, workplaces and multi-family dwellings to increase publicly available charging sites and demonstrate the benefit of public-private partnerships as part of the Smart Columbus initiative. The program included a requirement to locate 10% of the charging stations in low-income areas, a benchmark that was exceeded.

In 2020, Indiana Michigan Power began offering its IM Plugged In program to address residential, multi-family dwelling, fleet and workplace charging, as well as corridor fast charging. The program offers customers rebate programs that reduce EV charging infrastructure costs and EV-specific off-peak rates.

Appalachian Power offers a residential off-peak charging program for Virginia customers. Customers also receive credits for EV charging that takes place during off-peak periods, such as overnight.

Additionally, residential customers of Public Service Company of Oklahoma and Southwestern Electric Power Company in Louisiana and Texas are eligible for energy efficiency rebates on qualified EV chargers.

The Electric Highway Coalition welcomes interested utilities to join as it seeks to extend the reach of network. Additionally, it supports, and looks forward to working with, other regional utility transportation corridor electrification initiatives.

SWEPCO President Malcolm Smoak, third from the right, and Director of Grid Modenrization Henry Brown, far right, present representatives of three historically black colleges in SWEPCO”s serice territory $250,000 each as part of the AEP Foundation’s Delivering on the Dream: Social and Racial Justice Program. A fourth college in Bluefield, Vigirnia also received $250,000.

The American Electric Power Foundation has awarded $1 million in grants to four historically black colleges and universities. Three of the four institutions are in communities served by SWEPCO – Southern University in Shreveport Foundation in Shreveport, La., Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, and Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Texas. The fourth is Bluefield State College in Bluefield, W.Va., served by Appalachian Power.

The gifts are part of the foundation’s Delivering on the Dream: Social and Racial Justice grant program, which is a five-year, $5 million commitment to fund organizations with programs dedicated to advancing social and racial justice in communities served by American Electric Power. The company is encouraging its workforce to make personal commitments as allies and to act as catalysts for change.

“Diversity, equity and inclusion continue to be critical components of our company culture, but the past year has proven we still have work to do, both at AEP and in our communities,” said Janelle Coleman, vice president, Philanthropy and Community Engagement, and president of the AEP Foundation. “The Delivering on the Dream grant program puts our words into action. AEP and its Foundation are proud to partner with these organizations dedicated to empowering equity for our customers, neighbors and employees of color.”

The Southern University at Shreveport Foundation will use the $250,000 grant to create the STEM Academy to provide academic credits, hands-on experience and scholarships to encourage both high school students and adults of color to pursue a career in a STEM field. The Academy will have a track for high school dual enrollment students and for unemployed or underemployed adults.

“Bluefield State College is profoundly grateful for the very timely and substantial support of the American Electric Power Foundation,” said Robin Capehart, president of BSC. “The $250,000 grant awarded to the BSC Foundation will enable our College to enhance educational opportunities for minority students through STEM education. The American Electric Power Delivering on the Dream grant will dramatically elevate the career trajectory of many promising minority students at Bluefield State College.”

Wiley College will utilize the $250,000 gift to improve its STEM academic program, including renovating its science building, updating the campus internet network and improving its STEM curriculum. The grant also will help update campus safety and security through lighting and emergency communication enhancements.

Jarvis Christian College will use the funds to develop and implement a Summer Science Academy for 9^th to 12^th graders to expand the pipeline of minority students who pursue STEM degrees at the college.

“These grants from the AEP Foundation will enable SUSLA, Wiley College and Jarvis Christian College to expand their STEM programming, creating more opportunities for minority students to excel in school and beyond,” said Malcolm Smoak, president and chief operating officer of SWEPCO, that provides funding to the AEP Foundation. “SWEPCO also is dedicated to building brighter futures for the communities where we live and work and remains committed to advancing justice and equity for our neighbors of color.”

The other organizations to receive funds include: the YWCA Columbus, the Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation, the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, and Youth Services of Tulsa.

Pete White led American Electric Power the way he lived his life, as a service to others, and as a steady, effective chief executive officer. White, who served as chairman and CEO from 1976 to 1991, died on July 4 in Murfreesboro, Tenn. He was 94.

Described as gracious, thoughtful and a calming presence as CEO, White led AEP through some difficult and complex times, such as finalizing the purchase of Columbus and Southern Ohio Electric; the move of the corporate headquarters from New York City to Columbus; and the successful transition of the Zimmer plant project from a nearly complete nuclear reactor to a coal-fired power plant.

“The entire AEP family mourns the passing of this truly great person,” said Nick Akins, chairman, president and chief executive officer of AEP. “Pete’s dedication to his family, his profession and his community were obvious to all who knew him.

“I always enjoyed my visits with Pete. He was a walking history of AEP, and a true gentleman in every sense,” Akins said. “AEP would not be the company it is today without his steady leadership for so many years. Whenever we talked, he was always amazed by the changing environment we face, while I always marveled at what he dealt with and the amount of change during his time with the company. I will truly miss his warm personality and the rich conversations that we shared. Our hearts go out to his family.”

The Transmission Operations Center in New Albany bears White’s name. He helped cut the ribbon to dedicate the facility in 2008. Under White’s leadership the first TOC was developed at 1RP in the 1980s. White also oversaw the doubling of the miles of AEP’s 765 kV transmission lines.

He spent his entire professional career at AEP, from his start as an assistant engineer in 1948 to his retirement as chairman in 1992. He served in management roles in New York, Virginia and Ohio.

White was an assistant to Philip Sporn, who was then president of AEP, and as a promising young executive was sent to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a Sloan Fellow. In 1961 he moved into management in Lynchburg, Va. – an assignment White recalled, “as satisfying a job as I ever had.” He became executive vice president and COO of Appalachian Power in 1969. White moved back to headquarters in New York in 1973 as senior executive vice president of operations.

“Everyone liked (Pete White). I don’t know anybody, anybody who didn’t like Pete White,” said John Dolan, former vice chairman and chief engineer of AEP, in the book “A Century of Firsts.”

Born in 1926 in Chesapeake, Va., Willis S. “Pete” White attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute majoring in electrical engineering. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1945 before the end of World War II. He was an amateur musician and played the trombone and piano. He was a member of Virginia Tech’s marching band and sang with the AEP choir when he worked for the company in New York. He was a supporter of the Roanoke and Columbus symphonies.

Service was a big part of White’s life outside of AEP. He was a campaign chairman for the United Way of Franklin County, chairman of the Greater Columbus Convention Center Board of Trustees, a trustee of Children’s Hospital, an emeritus trustee of Riverside Methodist Hospital, a board member of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, and a board member of OhioHealth. He was the first American chairman of CIGRE (the International Council on Large Electric Systems, headquartered in Paris), a director of several companies and organizations including the Bank of New York Mellon, Irving Trust Company, the Edison Electric Institute, the National Association of Manufacturers, and chairman of the Board of Trustees of Battelle Memorial Institute. President George H. W. Bush appointed White as a private-sector representative to the U.S. Presidential Economic Delegation to Poland.

White also served on the board of the Ohio Methodist Theological Seminary, the Board of Visitors at Virginia Tech and as director of the Virginia Tech Foundation, and trustee of Randolph-Macon College. Virginia Tech awarded him the university’s Distinguished Alumni Award, the Ruffner Medal for service, and the College of Engineering’s Distinguished Service Award. The College of Engineering named its Chair for Innovation in Engineering Education in White’s honor. 

Mr. White is survived by his wife, Adele McComas White, and her children, Cathleen McComas and Patrick McComas of Columbus; his brother Norman T. White of Chesapeake, Va.; his children, Willis S. White III, of Jacksonville, Fla., Marguerite W. Spangler and her husband Dr. Pat W. Spangler of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Cynthia White-Haight of Ponte Vedra, Fla.; as well as grandchildren Dr. M. Lee Spangler, II of Waterford, Va., Nicholas W. Spangler of Brentwood, Tenn., Alexander J. Haight and Charles Z. Haight of Kent, Ohio, and two great grandchildren, Owen and Collins Spangler. In addition to his parents, his first wife, LaVerne B. White, and his sister, Doris White Jones, preceded him in death.

A Celebration of life, and burial will be held in Columbus. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Kobacker House Hospice, Trinity United Methodist Church in Columbus, and Alive Hospice in Murfreesboro.

How do you remember Pete White? Please leave a memory in the comments.

Pete White, former chairman and chief executive officer of American Electric Power, died July 4 in Murfreesboro, Tenn. He was 94.

White’s obituary can be found here: Obituary | Willis S. “Pete” White, Jr. of Columbus, Ohio | Woodfin Funeral Chapel (woodfinchapel.com)

White was chairman and CEO from 1976 to 1991. He led AEP during the move of the headquarters from New York City to Columbus and the successful transition of the Zimmer plant project from a nearly complete nuclear plant to coal-fired power.