10 American Electric Power operations directors
Director Transmission System Operations and Director Distribution Operations are among the roles held today by these ten American Electric Power operations directors, along with directors of field services, facilities and business operations. A reader can learn how operations directors work at American Electric Power from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
Chris Schafer
LinkedInExperience: Director Real Time Ops Systems · American Electric Power
Chris Schafer has been Director Real Time Ops Systems at American Electric Power since January 2024 and was Director Distribution Real Time Operations there (2021–2024). They also held Electric Vehicle Business Development (2017–2021) and Distribution Management System (DMS) Supervisor (2014–2021) roles at American Electric Power.
Danielle Dorsey
LinkedInExperience: Director of Business Operations, Appalachian Power · American Electric Power
Danielle Dorsey has been Director of Business Operations, Appalachian Power at American Electric Power since January 2026. They were also Business Operations Support Manager (2020–2026) and Analyst (2004–2020) at American Electric Power, and their profile describes a background in finance and utility work.
David Waldon
LinkedInExperience: Director Transmission System Ops · American Electric Power
David Waldon has been Director Transmission System Ops at American Electric Power since November 2025. They were also Transmission Dispatching Supervisor (2020–2024) and Transmission Coordinator/Scheduler (2005–2020) at American Electric Power, and their profile says they have been NERC certified as a reliability coordinator since 2008.
Elaina Smith
LinkedInExperience: Director Facilities Operations · American Electric Power
Elaina Smith has been Director Facilities Operations at American Electric Power since July 2022, based in Columbus, Ohio. They were also Manager Transmission Financial Controls at American Electric Power (2009–2022), and their headline reads Director Facilities Operations - American Electric Power.
Elliott Thaxton
LinkedInExperience: Director Transmission System Operations · American Electric Power
Elliott Thaxton has been Director Transmission System Operations at American Electric Power since November 2025, based in Columbus, Ohio. The listing also shows an Energy Delivery System Operations Manager role at American Electric Power from December 2024 and a Transmission Operations role there from 2006.
Gerardo Trevino P.E.
LinkedInExperience: Director Transmission Field Services · American Electric Power
Gerardo Trevino has been Director Transmission Field Services at American Electric Power since January 2018, based in Laredo, Texas, and their headline reads Protection and Control Director. The listing also shows a Protection and Control Manager role there from 2013, and they were TLine Station Manager (2010–2013) and Station Manager (2008–2013) at American Electric Power.
Linda L Lopez
LinkedInExperience: Director Energy Delivery System Operations West · American Electric Power
Linda L Lopez has been Director Energy Delivery System Operations West at American Electric Power since October 2005, based in Corpus Christi, Texas. The listing also shows them as Vice-President of the board of the Diocesan Telecommunications Corporation of the Diocese of Corpus Christi since 2021.
Robert De Leon
LinkedInExperience: Director Distribution Operations · American Electric Power
Robert De Leon has been Director Distribution Operations at American Electric Power since April 2022, based in Corpus Christi, Texas, and their headline reads Director, Distribution Operations at American Electric Power. The listing also shows a Manager role at American Electric Power from April 2022.
Steve Wooldridge
LinkedInExperience: Director Transmission Field Services · American Electric Power
Steve Wooldridge has been Director Transmission Field Services at American Electric Power since September 2018, based in Shreveport, Louisiana. The listing also shows an Electrical Engineer role at American Electric Power over the same period, from September 2018.
Will Bynum, NCSO
LinkedInExperience: Director, Transmission Real Time Reliability · American Electric Power
Will Bynum has been Director, Transmission Real Time Reliability at American Electric Power since November 2025. They were also Transmission Operations Reliability Manager (2024–2025), Transmission Operations Reliability Supervisor (2022–2025), Reliabilty Coordinator Shift Lead (2019–2022) and System Control Center Operator (2009–2019) at American Electric Power.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's area, such as transmission system operations, distribution, field services or business operations, to the question you bring. Check the start date of each person's current role to see how recent the experience is.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How is real-time grid operations work organized day to day in your area?
- 02What do you track to know that your operation is performing as it should?
- 03How do you prepare operators and supervisors to step into leadership roles?
Reaching American Electric Power operations directors
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About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.