Battelle announced today that Michael G. Morris, Chairman, President and CEO of American Electric Power (AEP), was elected to the Battelle Board of Directors.

Morris currently is a member of the U.S. Department of Energy's Electricity Advisory Board, the National Governors Association's Task Force on Electricity Infrastructure, the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, Business Roundtable (chairing the Business Roundtable's Energy Task Force), the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation, and the Capitol South Community Redevelopment Corporation. He also serves as a director of Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited, Cincinnati Bell, and The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

Morris, who has been with AEP since January 2004, also was general campaign chair for the 2007 United Way of Central Ohio.

"We're pleased to have Mike join our Board," said Battelle President and CEO Carl Kohrt. "Energy research is one of our core missions and Mike brings a great blend of business acumen and insight into energy that will benefit Battelle as we tackle this important challenge."

Prior to joining AEP Morris formerly was Chairman, President and CEO of Northeast Utilities System from 1997 to 2003. He also has served as President and CEO of Consumers Energy, a principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, and President of CMS Marketing, Services and Trading.

A native of Fremont, Ohio, Morris graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in science. He was appointed to the university's Board of Regents in 1997. Morris also earned a law degree, cum laude, from the Detroit College of Law and is a member of the Michigan Bar Association.

Battelle is the world's largest non-profit independent research and development organization, providing innovative solutions to the world's most pressing needs through its four global businesses: Laboratory Management, National Security, Energy Technology, and Health and Life Sciences. It advances scientific discovery and application by conducting $4 billion in global R&D annually through contract research, laboratory management, and technology commercialization.

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Battelle oversees 20,400 employees in more than 120 locations worldwide, including seven national laboratories which Battelle manages or co-manages for the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Battelle also is one of the nation's leading charitable trusts focusing on societal and economic impact and actively supporting and promoting science and math education.

Wed Jan 16 09:03:00 CST 2008