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Charles Patton is president and chief operating officer for AEP Texas, serving approximately 901,000 customers. He has authority for distribution operations and a wide range of customer, legislative, and regulatory relationships.
In his previous position, Patton was state president - Texas. His strategic focus was on community relations and public policy matters in the state, particularly as they 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.
Prior to this, 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 and his wife, Deborah, have two children and reside in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he serves as a board member for the Regional Economic Development Corporation, Del Mar College Foundation and the Coastal Bend United Way. | 