Robert B. Berntsen is Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary at American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP), a leading electric utility serving more than 5 million customers across 11 states. In this role, he leads the company's global legal team, overseeing regulatory compliance, corporate governance, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, and commercial transactions. Berntsen provides strategic counsel to AEP's senior leadership and board of directors, playing a key role in navigating complex federal and state regulatory environments, advancing clean energy initiatives, and supporting the company's multi-billion-dollar infrastructure investments. Berntsen joined AEP in 2010 as Associate General Counsel after more than a decade at Duke Energy Corporation, where he rose to Vice President and Senior Counsel, managing high-stakes legal matters including major mergers, regulatory proceedings, and environmental compliance. His rapid ascent at AEP saw him promoted to Vice President and Deputy General Counsel in 2015, Vice President and General Counsel in 2017, and his current executive position in 2021, reflecting his proven leadership in the energy sector. A graduate of Miami University (B.S.) and the University of Notre Dame Law School (J.D.), Berntsen is a respected authority on utility law. His achievements include guiding AEP through transformative regulatory approvals, such as renewable energy projects and grid modernization efforts, and active involvement in industry groups like the Edison Electric Institute's Legal Committee, where he has chaired key subcommittees.