Charles R. Patton is Executive Vice President of External Affairs for American Electric Power (AEP). In this role, he leads AEP’s Customer Services, Communications, Regulatory, Federal Public Policy and Corporate Sustainability organizations.
Prior to his current responsibilities, Patton served in numerous executive positions throughout his tenure with AEP. He has been the President and Chief Operating Officer of two AEP subsidiaries: Appalachian Power, serving approximately one million customers in West Virginia, Virginia and Tennessee; and AEP Texas, serving over one million in South and West Texas.
During his tenure in Texas, Patton was appointed by Texas Gov. George Bush to serve on the Texas Energy Coordination Council and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission. Later, Gov. Rick Perry appointed Patton to the Texas Energy Planning Council, which was established to advise the governor on energy matters.
Patton serves on the boards of the National Association of Manufacturers, United States Energy Association, Center for Workforce Development and the Columbus YMCA. At AEP, he is an Executive Sponsor of the African-American Employee Resource Group. He is a graduate of Bowdoin College and holds a graduate degree from the University of Texas LBJ School of Public Policy.
