AEP CEO Nick Akins keynotes Fisher veterans dinner

Published: 2013-04-18

“There is no room for failure in the operations of American Electric Power (AEP) nuclear plants,” said Nick Akins, the utility’s president and chief executive officer. “That is why the company heavily recruits from the military.”

Akins was the keynote speaker at the annual Fisher Veterans Association Alumni Dinner. The dinner brought together current association members and alumni. The Fisher Veterans Association selected Akins and AEP for the organization’s signature event because of the high value the company places on military experience, said Matt Palmisciano, the student organization’s president.

Akins identified talent, discipline and leadership as traits that come out of the military. “That is exactly why the jobs that are created in the energy industry are a perfect match for the skills that come out of the military,” he said. As an example, Akins singled out Navy veterans who have worked on nuclear submarines.

Akins said 10 percent of AEP’s workforce is made up of veterans and active military reservists.  If an AEP employee is deployed for military duty, the company not only guarantees a job position upon return but also pays a salary differential for income lost during service.

“It’s important to show our level of commitment to our military employees,” said Akins, whose company established a veterans’ resource group for employees and has been named “military friendly” by GI Jobs magazine.

After the dinner, the Fisher Veterans Association paid tribute to Prisoners of War/Missing in Action in a ceremony with an  empty chair leaned up against an empty table with a place setting and candle and an inverted wine glass to symbolize the missing’s inability to share a toast with comrades.

Palmisciano said the association has become more active both in community outreach and taking advantage of activities to support the professional development of Fisher’s veterans.

Several of its members took part in MBA career fair targeted at military veterans in Chicago and the organization has also formed a partnership with Columbus Rotary Club, which is providing mentors to students.