johnharperJohn Harper
Vice President, External Affairs, AEP/Public Service Company of Oklahoma
Air Date, December 29, 2013

John Harper serves as Vice President for External Affairs at Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), an electric utility serving more than 530,000 customers. He is responsible for PSO´s Governmental and Environmental Affairs, Community Relations, Economic Development and Corporate Communications functions.

Harper, who began his career at PSO, has served as vice president of Business Logistics at American Electric Power, vice president and group director for SEEBOARD plc, a Central and South West Corp (CSW) subsidiary in the United Kingdom, executive assistant to the chairman and chief executive officer of CSW, among other positions.

Harper earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration from Evangel University and a master’s degree in business administration from Oral Roberts University.

Specialties:Governmental liaison, community affairs, economic development, corporate communications, business logistics

Vice President, External Affairs
Public Service Company of Oklahoma
July 2010 – Present (3 years 6 months)Tulsa, OK
Provides executive leadership for PSO´s Governmental and Environmental Affairs, Community Relations, Economic Development and Corporate Communications functions.
American Electric PowerVice President, Business Logistics
American Electric Power

February 2005 – June 2010 (5 years 5 months)Columbus, Ohio Area
Provided executive leadership for the fleet services, supply chain, physical security and aviation functions within the AEP System.
American Electric PowerVice President, General Services
American Electric Power

July 2003 – February 2005 (1 year 8 months)Columbus, Ohio Area
Senior executive responsible for providing leadership for the facilities management, land management, fleet services, office services, and aviation functions across the 11-state AEP System.

American Electric PowerVice President, Corporate Technology Department
American Electric Power
August 2000 – July 2003 (3 years)Columbus, Ohio Area
Senior executive responsible for developing and implementing a long-term technology development plan. Directed resources to address key strategic technology initiatives through technology research, development and demonstration projects.

Vice President, Group Director of SEEBOARD
Central and Southwest Corporation – United Kingdom
1998 – 2000 (2 years)Crawley, United Kingdom

SEEBOARD Board Member with statuary and fiduciary responsibilities for SEEBOARD, an electric distribution subsidiary in the UK. Responsible for effective communication with CSW Executives and the SEEBOARD management team, ensuring full understanding and resolution of business issues, including the industry restructuring, transition to competitive markets and merger of SEEBOARD and Yorkshire Electricity.