BCBAA Master Class: The Power of Public Policy

BCBAA Masterclass Session 2: The Power of Public Policy

Wednesday, October 21, 2026
7:00-8:00 PM ET 

Register to receive the Zoom webinar information.

Session Overview: Join the BCBAA for the second Master Class session! Charles Patton ’81, former executive Vice President of External Affairs at American Electric Power (AEP), will draw from two real-world policymaking experiences to give you an inside look at how change happens—and share practical strategies for engaging in the process with greater confidence and purpose.  

Charles Patton is an infrastructure and public policy leader with more than 39 years of experience across the energy and telecommunications sectors. Before retiring in 2022, he served as Executive Vice President of External Affairs at American Electric Power (AEP), where he led federal public policy, regulatory affairs, communications, customer services, NERC compliance, and corporate sustainability. Earlier in his career, he was appointed by two Texas governors to serve on state energy councils advising on energy policy and planning. He has also served on the boards of organizations including the Richmond Federal Reserve Bank, National Association of Manufacturers, and United States Energy Association. Mr. Patton holds a bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College and a master’s degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Policy at the University of Texas at Austin.