As Chairman, CEO & President of American Electric Power, Mike Morris stated that joining the Gamma Tau Chapter of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity at Eastern Michigan University has had a tremendous impact on his life.
Born in Fremont, OH, Mike currently lives in Michigan and is the chief executive for American Electric Power, headquartered in Columbus, OH. He enrolled at Eastern Michigan University in the fall of 1964 majoring in Biology with a minor in Geology. Upon graduation, Mike enrolled in graduate school at EMU and received his M.S. in Biology. After student teaching, he realized that teaching was not for him and began his professional career in 1971 with Soil & Materials in Detroit. One unique piece of information about his first job was that a Delta Sig alumnus (Ken Kramer, Detroit ’58) hired Mike. The only reason why Ken hired Mike was because Ken noticed that Mike had Delta Sigma Phi on his graduation ring. Mike stated, “my whole career started because of Delta Sig.”
From 1971 – 1973, Mike was employed by Soil & Materials in Detroit. From 1973-1976, he worked for Commonwealth Associates in Jackson, MI. Upon leaving his job in Jackson, MI, Mike moved to Detroit and began working for American Natural Resources (ANR) from 1976-1988. During his work with ANR, he attended the Detroit College of Law in the evenings and in 1980, earned his law degree cum laude. He moved back to Jackson, MI in 1988 and worked for Consumer’s Power until 1997. Mike moved to Hatford, CT in 1997 and worked with Northeast Utilities as Chairman, President & CEO until 2003. Since January 1, 2004, Mike has served as Chairman, CEO, and President of American Electric Power (www.aep.com).
Mike joined Delta Sig because his friend Rick Barth’s older brother Jeff was in the chapter. Mike was pledge class president of his 17 man pledge class – many of which lived in his residence hall and to this day gathers frequently with a handful of them. Through his involvement with the chapter, Mike served in a variety of leadership positions including pledge educator, vice president, social chairman, and acting president.
When asked how the fraternity helped him, Mike replied, “Delta Sig helped me immensely. I learned conflict resolution, parliamentary procedure, meeting management, and most importantly, Delta Sig provided a foundation for my leadership development.” When asked about his most fond memory as an undergrad, Mike referred back to the day he and his roommate received their bid from Delta Sig. Everyone joining a fraternity walked down the stairway in the student union and was given a badge to the fraternity which they joined. All the fraternity members were there, and when Mike visits the student union, he reflects on that moment to this day.
Most importantly, Mike met his wife at EMU. She was actually a Delta Sig Sweetheart while the two were in school. Mike has been happily married for 36 years and has two sons.
When talking about who has been most influential in his life, Mike replied, “no doubt it’s been my parents. They taught me how to work hard, responsibility, and how to be a good man.” He is the youngest of three.
When asked what advice he has for our membership, Mike stated, “study hard, and take advantage of the leadership opportunities available to you. Take the opportunity to grow and understand others. Always work hard and make your boss look good. Never surprise your boss, and remember that he/she is there to help.”
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