Two AEP board members to be inducted into NACD Directorship 100

(Story by Rachel Hammer)

Two members of AEP’s board of directors, Sandra Beach Lin and Lionel L. Nowell III, have been selected for induction into National Association of Corporate Directors’ (NACD) 2013 Directorship 100. It is rare that two individuals seated on the same board are inducted in the same year.

Sandra Beach Lin

According to the NACD website, “Each year, NACD Directorship identifies the most influential people in the boardroom community, including directors, corporate governance experts, journalists, regulators and advisors. Promoting continued economic growth remains a priority for policy makers and directors alike. Therefore, our NACD Directorship 100 recognizes those who participate in actual board work and those who influence how that work is done.”

“Sandy and Lionel are being recognized not just for their leadership in business, but also for how they shape and guide the leadership that the rest of us provide. Recognizing two members of the same board is rare, and that speaks to the quality of leadership we have at the highest level here at AEP,” said Mike Morris, non-executive chairman. “I am extremely proud of what these two are accomplishing and I am proud of the opportunity to be affiliated with them.”

Lin has been a director of AEP since 2012 and serves on the audit, directors and corporate governance and policy committees. She also is on the boards of PolyOne Corporation and Wesco International, and is a director of Junior Achievement USA. Lin is a former president and chief executive officer of Calisolar Inc.

Lionel L. Nowell III

A member of AEP’s board of directors since 2004, Nowell is on the directors and corporate governance, executive, finance and policy committees and chairs the audit committee. Nowell also serves on the boards of Bank of America and Reynolds American. He retired from PepsiCo, Inc., as senior vice president and treasurer.

“What is most impressive is that Lionel and Sandy are being recognized by their peers,” said Nick Akins, AEP president and chief executive officer. “That means their contributions are being noticed by literally the best business leaders in the nation. I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to be working alongside these two exemplary individuals.”

NACD leaders and members, including previous honorees, nominate potential Directorship 100 honorees. An independent selection committee makes the final selections, which then are ratified by members of NACD’s own board of directors.

NACD was founded in 1977 as the only national membership organization created for and by directors. Its mission is to  advance exemplary board leadership — for directors and by directors.