Ellis to retire, Scott named to step in at Comanche Station

(Story by Stan Whiteford)

LAWTON, Okla. — After nearly four decades working in power generation, Dean Ellis, manager of Comanche Power Station, will soon be retiring, announced Gary Knight, vice president – Generation for Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO). Ellis will be succeeded as plant manager by Erik Scott, currently an operator at Comanche.

Dean Ellis (left), will retire at the end of September as manager of Comanche Power Station after 39 years of service. Erik Scott (right), has been named to succeed him as manager of Comanche on Oct. 1.

“Dean retires at the end of September after more than 39 years of exemplary service,” said Knight. “We will miss Dean, but wish him a fond farewell and hopes for a full and satisfying retirement.”

Ellis, who has been the plant manager at Comanche Station since October 2006, says he is fortunate to have worked with good people in many parts of the AEP footprint, from west Texas to Kentucky to Oklahoma.

“I will take with me fond memories of the good times we had together,” said Ellis of the people with whom he has worked. “I have learned from a great many of them and have had the pleasure of mentoring a great many of them. I hope the tradition of pride and sense of family will continue on long after I’m gone. As I’m finally graduating from AEP, I look forward to the next chapter of my life with great anticipation of the adventures awaiting me.”

Scott will officially take over the reins at Comanche on October 1, 2012.

Scott has been a plant operator at the plant for the past six years. Prior to joining AEP, he spent more than 22 years in the U.S. Navy serving in multiple capacities, including master chief, assistant operations superintendent, maintenance superintendent, and operations & maintenance supervisor managing nuclear power plant operations on submarines.

“I am honored to have been chosen as Comanche’s next manager,” said Scott. “I look forward to the privilege of continuing to serve with the top-notch men and women who work at and in support of Comanche Power Station.”

Located in Lawton, Comanche Power Station is a natural gas-fueled power plant with a total generating capability of 235 megawatts.