AEP Names Maryam S. Brown President and COO of Indiana Michigan Power

Rhea-AI Summary

American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) named Maryam S. Brown president and chief operating officer of Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), effective April 27, 2026. Brown will report to AEP chairman and CEO Bill Fehrman. Steve Baker will serve as senior advisor through transition and retire at the end of 2026.

Brown brings more than 25 years of utility, regulatory and policy experience and most recently led Southern California Gas Company, serving over 21 million customers.

Positive

• Leadership appointment effective April 27, 2026
• 25+ years of utility, regulatory and policy experience
• Led Southern California Gas serving more than 21 million customers
• Experience advancing Angeles Link hydrogen pipeline proposal

Negative

• Senior leader retirement scheduled at end of 2026, prompting a leadership transition

News Market Reaction – AEP

-1.35%

-1.35% Session close to close

In the Apr 13 session, AEP declined 1.35%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

This announcement adds another senior leadership change within AEP’s operating companies, placing a ...

Analysis

This announcement adds another senior leadership change within AEP’s operating companies, placing a CEO-level utility veteran over Indiana Michigan Power at a time of potential nuclear development and grid transformation. In context of recent multi‑billion‑dollar transmission and data center initiatives, investors may watch how Brown’s regulatory and policy background supports execution. Key metrics to monitor include progress on major projects, regulatory outcomes, and any financing drawn under the $10,000,000,000 shelf.

Key Figures

Effective date: April 27 Industry experience: More than 25 years Customer base: More than 21 million customers +2 more

5 metrics

Effective date April 27 Start date as president and COO of Indiana Michigan Power

Industry experience More than 25 years Brown’s experience in utilities, infrastructure, finance, and regulation

Customer base More than 21 million customers Served by Southern California Gas Company under Brown’s leadership

Modernization period Two decades Described as SoCalGas’s most significant operational modernization in two decades

Year joined Sempra 2016 Brown joined Sempra as vice president of Federal Government Affairs

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 20 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Mar 20	Grid buildout plan	Positive	-2.4%	Announced $4.2B 765‑kV buildout tied to 10‑GW data center campus.
Mar 17	Leadership changes	Positive	-0.4%	Named new Appalachian Power leader and reiterated $72B 2026–2030 investment plan.
Mar 06	Texas leadership hire	Positive	-0.1%	Appointed Adrian Rodriguez as AEP Texas president and COO to support growth.
Feb 23	Data center project	Positive	+2.1%	Amazon data center in Louisiana with grid upgrades and economic growth focus.
Feb 16	Transmission approval	Positive	+0.2%	JV approval for >300 miles of 765‑kV lines and substation upgrades in Ohio.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Recent AEP news, often operational or growth-focused, has produced mixed reactions, with several positive announcements followed by modest downside moves.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, AEP has highlighted major infrastructure and leadership developments. On Mar 20, it detailed a $4.2 billion transmission partnership for a 10‑GW Ohio data center, while on Feb 23 it noted Amazon’s new data center supported by SWEPCO upgrades. Multiple leadership appointments across AEP Texas and Appalachian Power were announced in March. Today’s I&M leadership change continues this pattern of management alignment with large-scale grid and growth initiatives.

Key Terms

hydrogen pipeline, Securities and Exchange Commission, data center, transmission infrastructure

4 terms

hydrogen pipeline technical

"Angeles Link, a proposal for the largest hydrogen pipeline in the country."

A hydrogen pipeline is a buried or aboveground conduit that transports hydrogen gas from production sites to users such as factories, power plants, or fueling stations, much like a water or natural gas pipe moves a useful fluid. For investors it matters because pipeline access affects the cost, reliability and scale of hydrogen supply — influencing project economics, safety and regulatory approvals for energy and industrial businesses.

Securities and Exchange Commission regulatory

"including experience as a Securities and Exchange Commission attorney."

A national government agency that enforces rules for buying, selling and disclosing information about stocks and other investments, acting like a referee and scorekeeper for financial markets. It requires companies to share clear, regular financial and business information and investigates fraud or rule-breaking, which matters to investors because those rules and disclosures help ensure fair prices, reduce hidden risks and make it easier to compare investment choices.

data center technical

"10-gigawatt data center campus at the former Piketon gaseous diffusion plant"

A data center is a secure facility that houses large numbers of computers, storage devices and networking gear that run, store and move digital information for businesses and online services. Investors treat data centers like modern warehouses: their occupancy, energy efficiency, connectivity and long-term service contracts drive steady revenue and capital needs, so changes in demand or costs can directly affect profitability and growth prospects.

transmission infrastructure technical

"buildout of new 765-kV transmission infrastructure for a planned 10-gigawatt data center"

High-capacity networks of physical assets — such as high-voltage power lines, substations, fiber-optic cables and related switching facilities — that move electricity or data from producers to consumers and large users over long distances. Investors care because these assets are capital-intensive, long-lived and often operate under regulated pricing, so their condition, capacity and upgrades affect service reliability, revenue stability and the ability to support growth — like highways that determine how smoothly commerce can move.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Steve Baker to serve as senior advisor

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) has named Maryam S. Brown president and chief operating officer of Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), effective April 27. Brown will report to Bill Fehrman, AEP chairman, president and chief executive officer.

"I&M is one of our fastest growing operating companies with significant opportunities to deliver for our customers on the horizon," Fehrman said. "Maryam has managed complex financial and regulatory environments, driven infrastructure growth and most recently led one of the nation's largest utilities as president and chief executive officer. We believe her unique combination of operational and financial acumen, strategic vision and policy expertise will be key to helping I&M reach its goals and unlock value for our stakeholders."

Brown brings more than 25 years of experience spanning utility operations, energy infrastructure development, financial management, regulatory and energy law and federal policy. She will succeed Steve Baker, who will serve as senior advisor to support the transition and assist with AEP's nuclear development strategy in Indiana until his retirement at the end of 2026.

"Steve has been an exceptional leader throughout his 35 years with AEP," Fehrman said. "We are grateful he will remain on the team to help ensure a strong transition before his well-deserved retirement."

Most recently, Brown served as president and CEO of Southern California Gas Company, a Sempra subsidiary serving more than 21 million customers. She led the company through a demanding regulatory and policy environment while driving strong financial performance and overseeing its most significant operational modernization in two decades. Under her leadership, SoCalGas also advanced Angeles Link, a proposal for the largest hydrogen pipeline in the country.

"I&M is at an exciting inflection point," Brown said. "I have spent my career preparing for complex challenges and opportunities like generational load growth, potential nuclear development and the broader transformation of the energy grid. I look forward to getting into the field, learning from the I&M team and engaging directly with the customers and communities of Indiana and Michigan as we build on the strong foundation already in place."

Brown began her career as a maintenance and reliability engineer at Amoco Oil Company before earning her Juris Doctor and building an extensive career in complex energy and regulatory law, including experience as a Securities and Exchange Commission attorney. She also served as senior energy and environment counsel to former Speaker of the House Paul D. Ryan and as chief counsel for the House Energy and Power Subcommittee. She joined Sempra in 2016 as vice president of Federal Government Affairs before rising to lead SoCalGas as president and then CEO.

Brown received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and a Juris Doctor from Louisiana State University.

About AEP
AEP is committed to improving our customers' lives with reliable, affordable power. We expect to invest $72 billion from 2026 through 2030 to enhance service for customers and support the growing energy needs of our communities. Our nearly 17,000 employees operate and maintain the nation's largest electric transmission system with approximately 40,000 line miles, along with more than 252,000 miles of distribution lines to deliver energy to 5.6 million customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity producers with approximately 31,000 megawatts of diverse owned and contracted generating capacity. We are focused on safety and operational excellence, creating value for our stakeholders and bringing opportunity to our service territory through economic development and community engagement. Our family of companies includes AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power, Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company. AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. AEP is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, visit aep.com.

 

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SOURCE American Electric Power

FAQ

Who is Maryam S. Brown and what role will she hold at Indiana Michigan Power (AEP)?

Brown will be president and chief operating officer of Indiana Michigan Power, effective April 27, 2026. According to the company, she reports to AEP chairman and CEO Bill Fehrman and succeeds Steve Baker, who will support the transition as senior advisor.

When does Maryam Brown officially start as I&M president and COO for AEP (Nasdaq:AEP)?

Her start date is April 27, 2026. According to the company, Brown will assume the role then and immediately begin reporting to AEP chairman, president and CEO Bill Fehrman.

What is Maryam Brown’s relevant experience for the AEP I&M role (AEP)?

She has more than 25 years of experience in utility operations, regulatory law and federal policy. According to the company, she most recently served as president and CEO of Southern California Gas, overseeing major modernization efforts.

Will Steve Baker remain with Indiana Michigan Power after Maryam Brown’s appointment at AEP?

Yes. Steve Baker will serve as senior advisor during the transition and assist with nuclear development strategy until his retirement at the end of 2026. According to the company, he will support a smooth handover.

Does Maryam Brown have experience with large infrastructure projects relevant to I&M and AEP?

Yes. She advanced Angeles Link, a proposal for a large hydrogen pipeline, and led significant operational modernization at SoCalGas. According to the company, this experience aligns with I&M’s infrastructure and potential nuclear development plans.