Michael Austin
About Michael Austin
Michael Austin serves as Senior Counsel at American Electric Power, where he has worked since 2023. He has extensive legal experience in the energy sector, having held various positions at multiple organizations over the years.
Work at American Electric Power
Michael Austin currently serves as Senior Counsel at American Electric Power, a position he has held since 2023. His role is based in the Columbus, Ohio Metropolitan Area and operates in a hybrid work environment. Prior to this position, he was the Director of NERC Reliability Assurance Oversight at the same company from 2019 to 2023, where he contributed to the organization's compliance and reliability initiatives.
Education and Expertise
Michael Austin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University, where he studied Earth and Ocean Sciences, Biological Anthropology, and Political Science from 2001 to 2005. He furthered his education by obtaining a Juris Doctor degree from Vanderbilt University Law School, specializing in Environmental Law from 2005 to 2008. Additionally, he earned a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Texas at San Antonio. His certifications include Certified Power Quality from the Association of Energy Engineers and Certified Energy Manager.
Background
Michael Austin has a diverse professional background in law and energy sectors. He began his legal career as an Associate at Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff from 2007 to 2009. He then worked as an Associate at Thompson Hine LLP from 2014 to 2017. Between these roles, he served as a Legal Contractor at SERC Reliability Corporation for six months in 2013 and as Managing Enforcement Attorney at ReliabilityFirst Corporation from 2009 to 2013.
Military Service
Michael Austin retired after 22 years of service in the Air Force. His military experience contributes to his leadership skills and understanding of regulatory compliance within the energy sector.