Sundararajan Named EVP External Affairs; Patton to Retire

AEP announced today that Raja Sundararajan, currently senior vice president, Regulatory and Customer Solutions, will become the company’s executive vice president , External Affairs when Charles Patton retires July 1. He will report to Nick Akins, chairman, president and chief executive officer.

“Charles’ leadership and contributions have been a critical part of our success during his 27 years with the company. He led two different operating companies and held several other key leadership positions, approaching every challenge with thoughtfulness and a collaborative leadership style,” Akins said. “Charles has deftly guided his teams as they have offered new services to customers, achieved positive outcomes with regulators and policy makers, and enhanced the support we offer our customers and communities. We wish him all the best during his well-deserved retirement.”

Sundararajan will lead AEP’s communications and marketing, customer, regulatory, federal public policy, and Ohio government affairs groups. These individuals will report to him:

• Phil Dion, vice president and interim Chief Customer Officer
• Maria Haberman, managing director, Ohio Governmental Affairs
• Anthony P. Kavanagh, senior vice president, Governmental Affairs
• Melissa McHenry, senior vice president, Communications and Marketing
• Matthew Satterwhite, vice president, Regulatory Services.

“Raja brings a wealth of experience to the executive leadership team,” Akins said. “He has demonstrated a keen understanding of the unique regulatory and policy challenges of our industry during his nearly two decades with AEP, holding key leadership roles in commercial operations, corporate finance, regulatory and transmission. He also served as president of AEP Ohio. Raja’s array of experiences and his technical expertise will provide valuable insights as we continue our transition to a clean energy future.”

Sundararajan joined AEP in 2002. His most recent prior role was as president and chief operating officer for AEP Ohio. He has also served as vice president, Regulatory Services, leading AEP’s regulatory activities before state commissions and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. He was also vice president, Transmission Asset Strategy and Policy; managing director, Transmission Business Strategy; managing director of Market Risk; and has held management positions in Treasury and Corporate Finance.

Sundararajan has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology. He also has a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland, a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan and he completed the Executive MBA program at the University of Virginia. Sundararajan serves as a board member of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and United Way of Central Ohio.