AEP names new leader of Appalachian Power

Ohio-based American Electric Power has named Brian Abraham president and chief operating officer of subsidiary Appalachian Power, according to an announcement last week.

Headquartered in West Virginia, Appalachian Power serves 57 counties in Tennessee, West Virginia and Virginia. In the commonwealth, it is the second largest utility provider, with about 550,000 customers in the central and southwestern parts of Virginia.

Abraham, who currently serves as chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Jim Justice, R-West Virginia, will join the company April 13. He will report to AEP Chairman, President and CEO Bill Fehrman.

“Our focus in West Virginia, Virginia and Tennessee is to partner with legislators, regulators and community leaders to develop state-focused solutions that balance their energy priorities with reliability and affordability,” Fehrman said in a news release. “Brian’s legal and public policy expertise, deep commitment to Appalachia and established partnerships within the region will bring a fresh perspective.”

Abraham will succeed Aaron Walker, who will now serve as vice president of engineering and quality for nuclear development for AEP. Walker will report to AEP Nuclear Development President Alicia Knapp.

After joining AEP in 2005 as a process engineer, Walker went on to serve as plant manager of AEP’s plant in Rockport, Indiana. He also served as vice president of distribution operations for Appalachian Power. Walker became president and COO of Appalachian Power in 2022.

“Aaron is a respected leader with strong operational expertise in generation and project management,” Fehrman said in a news release. “His skills will be an asset to our Nuclear Development organization and their work to develop advanced nuclear solutions to benefit our customers.”

Abraham was appointed chief of staff during Justice’s second term as governor of West Virginia. He continued in the same role when Justice was elected senator. Prior to serving as chief of staff, Abraham was general counsel for the governor’s office.

Earlier in his career, Abraham was prosecuting attorney for Logan County, West Virginia.

A U.S. Army veteran, Abraham recently retired as brigadier general after more than two decades of service. Most recently, he served as the special assistant adjutant general with the West Virginia National Guard. Earlier, Abraham served on active duty in Iraq with the XVIII Airborne Corps as an operational law officer and a prosecutor of insurgents. He also served as trial counsel for the 101st Airborne Division.

Abraham earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Fairmont State University, a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College and a law degree from West Virginia University.