Michael Morris, who came up through the ranks of gas pipeline and distribution companies, will be taking over as president and CEO of American Electric Power (AEP) the first of next year. Morris, 57, currently chairman, president and CEO at Northeast Utilities System, will succeed E. Linn Draper, who announced in April 2003 that he intended to retire in 2004. Morris will also succeed Draper as AEP chairman upon Draper’s retirement from that position on or before April 27, 2004. Morris has served in his current role at Northeast Utilities since 1997. Previously Morris was president and CEO of Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, and president of CMS Marketing, Services and Trading. He also had served as president of Colorado Interstate Gas (CIG) and as executive vice president of marketing, transportation and gas supply for ANR Pipeline. Morris also founded and served as president of ANR Gathering Co., one of the first gas marketing companies in the U.S. Northeast Utilities said that its board of trustees would meet on Tuesday to name interim leadership at the New England-based power company.

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