Nick Akins
American Electric Power
Chairman, President & CEO
Nick Akins is chairman, president and chief executive officer of American Electric Power. Under his leadership, AEP is investing in a clean, modern, reliable and resilient energy system. Akins has positioned AEP to redefine the future of energy through strategic partnerships, collaboration with customers and communities, and a focus on innovation and technology. He received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Louisiana Tech University and is a registered professional engineer in Texas. Akins is former chairman of the board of directors of Edison Electric Institute (EEI), Electric Power Research Institute, Global Sustainable Electricity Partnership (GSEP), and Ohio Business Roundtable (OBRT), as well as former chair of the U.S. Business Roundtable Energy and Environment Committee, of which he remains a member. Currently, he is chairman of the boards of Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited and OhioHealth, co-chair of the Columbus Partnership, and chairs the Governance Committee of Fifth Third Bancorp. He is a member of the boards of the Analysis and Resilience Center for Systemic Risk, EEI, GSEP, Institute of Nuclear Power Operators, Fifth Third Bancorp, OBRT and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2020, he was appointed to a two-year term on the National Petroleum Council.