Prominent CEOs to Discuss Energy Transitions

Two leading experts in the energy industry will discuss energy transitions at the next Karl F. and June S. Martin Family Foundation Energy Management Speaker Series lecture at Oklahoma City University’s Meinders School of Business.

American Clean Skies Foundation CEO Gregory Staple and American Electric Power President and CEO Nick Akins will speak from 4 to 6 p.m. April 10 in the Kerr McGee Auditorium at the Meinders School of Business, located at N.W. 27th Street and McKinley Ave.

Staple was appointed CEO of the American Clean Skies Foundation in December 2009. He succeeds the organization’s first CEO, Denise Bode, now head of the American Wind Energy Association. Prior to joining the foundation, Staple was a partner at the international law firm Vinson & Elkins LLP where he specialized in federal regulatory matters and co-directed the firm’s Washington D.C. climate change program. Staple has written widely on cap-and-trade legislation to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and related proposals. He received a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan and an undergraduate degree in political economy from the University of Rochester.

Akins is the 10th president and sixth chief executive officer of American Electric Power in the company’s more than 100-year history. He is a member of AEP’s board of directors and is the only management representative on the board.

Prior to being elected president of AEP in December 2010, he served as executive vice president of generation from 2006 through 2010 with responsibility for all generation activities. Akins oversaw technological advances to address climate change and a growing demand for electricity. Akins oversaw technological advances to address climate change and a growing demand for electricity.

The event is free to the public. For more information or to register, call Melissa Cory at (405) 208-5540, e-mail mcory@okcu.edu or visit www.meindersokcu.com/news-events/events.