Charles Patton is executive vice president – AEP Utilities West, responsible for the distribution, customer service, and financial performance of AEP’s utility operating companies in the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.

Previously, Patton was senior vice president – Regulatory and Public Policy, responsible for regional transmission organizations and public policy, case management and regulated tariffs; and for the development and/or coordination of policies on RTO, regulatory and public policy related issues; the strategic coordination of state governmental affairs efforts; and the development and coordination of NERC reliability standards compliance programs.

From 2004 to 2008, Patton was president and chief operating officer for AEP Texas, serving approximately 901,000 customers, with authority for distribution operations and a wide range of customer, legislative, and regulatory relationships.

Prior to this, he was state president – Texas. His strategic focus was on community relations and public policy matters in the state, particularly as they related to AEP’s business in the increasingly competitive electricity industry. He was responsible for building and maintaining external relationships with regulators, legislators, consumers and other stakeholders who have an impact on AEP for public policy matters in the state.

From 2002 to 2004, Patton was vice president of governmental affairs. In this capacity, he directed state legislative activity for AEP in Texas. He joined Central and South West Inc. in 1995 to become director of state government affairs for the CSW System.

Prior to joining CSW, Patton spent nearly 11 years in the energy and telecommunications business with Houston Industries/Houston Lighting & Power. While there, he worked in regulatory affairs and assisted in the litigation and management of regulatory proceedings. He was a policy specialist in government affairs and a lobbyist in Texas and Washington, D.C.

During this time, Patton also served as a company liaison with the United States Energy Association and traveled internationally to discuss government affairs and public relations with Eastern European utilities.

Patton has been active in state energy policy matters. He was appointed by former Texas Gov. George Bush to serve on the Texas Energy Coordination Council and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission. Gov. Rick Perry appointed Patton to the Texas Energy Planning Council, which was established to advise the governor on a balanced plan for providing the energy needed to fuel the state’s future economic growth.

Patton received a bachelor’s degree (cum laude) from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, and a master’s degree from the LBJ School of Public Policy at the University of Texas in Austin. He completed, with honors, special undergraduate programs relating to urban planning and government at Boston University, Harvard and American University.

He has served as chairman of the board for the Association of Electric Companies of Texas (AECT) and Texas Taxpayers and Research Association (TTARA), a board member for the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation, Del Mar College Foundation, Christus Spohn Health System and the Coastal Bend United Way.