Nick Akins is the former chair, president and chief executive officer of American Electric Power. He served as AEP’s 11th chair, and from 2011-2022 as the company’s sixth chief executive officer and 10th president.

During his tenure, AEP invested in modernization and security of the electric grid, resource diversification, and technology and innovation to enable the transition to a clean energy future while preserving universal access to the grid. Akins also led a culture transformation to engage employees in customer-focused innovation, enhance diversity and inclusiveness, and build workforce agility for a digital future.

Akins rose through the ranks at both AEP and the former Central and South West Corporation (CSW), which merged with AEP in 2000, holding various positions of increasing leadership responsibility throughout his career.

A native of Louisiana, Akins received his bachelor’s degree in 1982 and a master’s degree in 1986 in electric engineering from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. Additional training includes executive management programs at Louisiana State University, the University of Idaho and the Reactor Technology Course for Utility Executives at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a registered professional engineer in Texas.

Akins is a former chairman of the board of directors of the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Global Sustainable Electricity Partnership (GSEP), Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited (NEIL), the Ohio Business Roundtable (OBRT), Ohio Health, as well as the former chair of the U.S. Business Roundtable (BRT) Energy and Environment Committee. Currently, he serves on the boards of GE Vernova, Fifth Third Bancorp and DTE Energy, and also serves on the board of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Additionally, he previously served on the boards of EEI, Institute of Nuclear Power Operators (INPO) and OBRT. He was awarded the Louisiana Tech Tower Medallion and inducted into the university’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 2022. Other awards include the EEI Distinguished Leadership Award, the Edwin D. Hill Award and the Thomas A. Edison Legacy Award for his continued dedication to the electric utility industry.