Puesh M. Kumar serves as Senior Vice President of Enterprise Security, Resilience, and National Security Policy at American Electric Power (AEP), one of the largest electric utility companies in the U.S., serving customers across 11 states. In this role, he oversees AEP’s cybersecurity and physical security operations and leads national security policy engagement with federal agencies and state, local, territorial, and tribal (SLTT) governments, as well as companies across multiple sectors on security and resilience challenges facing critical infrastructure across the United States.
Prior to joining AEP, Kumar served as Director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER). In that capacity, he led national efforts to enhance the security and resilience of the nation’s energy infrastructure against cyber, physical, and natural hazards. His responsibilities included representing the U.S. energy sector on White House National Security Council policy committees, directing security research and development initiatives, coordinating federal emergency response to major energy disruptions, managing the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and leading international energy cybersecurity partnerships and engagements.
Kumar brings more than 20 years of experience in the energy sector, having previously held roles at Southern California Edison, the American Public Power Association, and Memphis Light, Gas, and Water. His expertise spans grid modernization, reliability, cybersecurity, resource adequacy, artificial intelligence, and supply chain security. He holds a degree in electrical engineering, specializing in power systems.
In recognition of his national leadership in energy security, Kumar received the U.S. Secretary of Energy’s Exceptional Service Award.
