Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), an operating unit of American Electric Power, is pleased to announce a change in leadership at its company based in Fort Wayne, Ind.. Toby Thomas will become I&M’s President and Chief Operating Officer, effective Jan. 1, 2017.

Thomas, a native of Waveland, Ind., and graduate of Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, will succeed Paul Chodak III, who has served as I&M’s President and COO since 2010 and is moving into a new role at AEP headquarters in Columbus, Ohio.

Thomas will lead the 2,450 I&M employees in Indiana and Michigan in the utility’s mission of providing reliable and affordable power to its 589,000 customers through its extensive power generation fleet that includes nuclear, coal, solar, wind and hydroelectric resources.

Thomas comes to I&M after serving as the vice president of AEP Competitive Generation, where he was responsible for AEP’s competitive generation fleet in Ohio. Prior to that, Thomas was vice president of AEP Ohio, Joint Venture, and Wind Generation, and previously held generation leadership positions at AEP’s operating unit of Kentucky Power and at AEP’s corporate headquarters.

“Toby has been identified as one of our talented leaders,” said Robert P. Powers, AEP executive vice president & chief operating officer. “His proven leadership skills and extensive experience in a variety of roles in our Generation Business Unit made him an excellent choice to lead Indiana Michigan Power.”

“I am looking forward to being back home again and serving the customers and employees of Indiana Michigan Power,” said Thomas. “There are many challenges facing the energy sector in our nation, and I look forward to leading I&M as the company works to continue providing the quality of service and reliability of power our customers desire.”

Chodak continues his service to AEP customers in his new role as executive vice president of AEP Utilities, where he will have corporate management duties over its operating companies located in eleven states.

"Toby’s considerable experience in operational management through his various positions with AEP has provided him with a solid foundation to successfully lead I&M,” said Chodak. "I have the utmost confidence that Toby is the perfect leader to take I&M and its customers to the next level of utility customer service and to help I&M continue its vision as the energy services company of the future.”