AEP Announces Executive Leadership Changes

American Electric Power is making several executive leadership changes to better support the company’s strategic priorities. These changes will take effect July 1, 2021:

• Therace Risch has been promoted to executive vice president and chief information & technology officer. Steve Swick, chief security officer, and the cybersecurity and physical security teams will now report to Risch.
• Chuck Zebula has been named executive vice president, Portfolio Optimization. In his new role, he will be responsible for AEP’s corporate asset strategy and operational and performance management functions. Previously, he served as executive vice president, Energy Supply. Steve Haynes and his team will now report to Zebula.
• Greg Hall has been promoted to executive vice president, Energy Supply. In his new role, he will oversee AEP’s competitive businesses including AEP Generation Resources, AEP Energy, AEP OnSite Partners, and AEP Renewables. Previously, he was president of AEP Energy Partners.
• In addition, the position of Brian Tierney, executive vice president, Strategy, is being eliminated and he will be leaving AEP after 23 years of service. He currently is responsible for strategic initiatives and operations and performance transformation. Previously he was chief financial officer, responsible for corporate accounting, finance, fleet services, investor relations, planning and strategy, procurement/supply chain, and risk management. He has held a variety of management positions across the company.

“I want to thank Brian for his leadership. He has helped AEP build a strong financial foundation and improve shareholder value through his strategic focus, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” said Nick Akins, AEP chairman, president and chief executive officer.

“These changes allow us to expand the experience of our leadership team in key areas of the business and ensure we have the right technologies, competitive solutions and strategic direction to enhance service for customers, ensure grid security and support ongoing earnings growth.”