American Electric Power's Strategic Leadership Adjustments to Support Future Growth

AEP's Strategic Leadership Changes

American Electric Power (AEP), listed on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AEP, has recently made significant changes to its executive leadership, effective July 14 and July 21, 2025. These adjustments are aimed at reinforcing the company’s long-term strategy in adapting to the rapidly evolving energy landscape. Bill Fehrman, AEP's President and CEO, emphasized the necessity for strong leadership capable of navigating the complex operational, financial, and regulatory challenges of the energy sector.

New Executive Appointments

Rob Berntsen - Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Rob Berntsen has been appointed as the new Executive Vice President and General Counsel. He will take charge after David Feinberg, who has dedicated over 14 years to AEP, steps down to become a senior advisor through August 15. Berntsen brings a wealth of experience, having previously been the Executive Vice President and Chief Legal and Compliance Officer at Xcel Energy.

His extensive background includes senior leadership roles in various energy-related organizations, such as BHE Renewables and MidAmerican Energy Company. Berntsen’s career highlights comprise his role as a Vice President at the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), and as a captain in the U.S. Army's Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps, where he served in Iraq in 2005.

Fehrman noted that Berntsen's two-decade trajectory in the energy sector, combined with his strong legal expertise and operational acumen, positions him as a valuable asset for steering AEP's legal functions during this crucial phase.

Johannes Eckert - Executive Vice President and Chief Information and Technology Officer

On July 21, Johannes Eckert will step into the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Information and Technology Officer. Eckert comes to AEP from Cox Communications, where he held the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer. His remarkable journey includes multiple leadership roles over 16 years at Cox, encompassing areas such as wireless technology and application development.

Eckert’s experience also spans international markets, having worked with notable companies like ATT and Accenture across the U.S., Germany, and South America. He holds degrees in computer science from the Berlin University of Applied Sciences and a master’s in marketing and finance from Kennesaw State University.

Fehrman expressed confidence that Eckert's extensive knowledge in cloud architecture and customer experience transformation will fundamentally enhance AEP’s IT organizational capabilities—a critical factor in elevating service delivery and operational efficiency.

AEP's Vision and Future Endeavors

American Electric Power is on a mission to transform the energy grid while providing a superior customer experience. The company plans to invest $54 billion from 2025 through 2029, focusing on advancements that meet the needs of a diverse and growing customer base. With nearly 16,000 employees and one of the country’s largest electric transmission systems, AEP is dedicated to delivering reliable and affordable energy to 5.6 million customers across 11 states.

AEP's strategic appointments signify a pivotal move towards both operational excellence and innovative growth in an industry marked by rapid change. AEP remains committed to its stakeholders, focusing on safety and community engagement as it leads the charge in the energy sector.

For additional details on AEP's initiatives and to stay updated on their progress, visit aep.com.