American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) has elected Sara Martinez Tucker to its board of directors. She is a former undersecretary of the U.S. Department of Education and former president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Tucker has served as undersecretary of the department of education from 2006 to 2008. Prior to joining the department of education, Tucker spent nine years as president and CEO of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.
As undersecretary, Tucker is responsible for overseeing policies, programs and activities related to postsecondary education, vocational and adult education, and federal student aid.
As president and CEO of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Tucker raised $280 million in support of the organization’s mission to double the rate of Hispanics earning college degrees. Previously, Tucker worked for 16 years at AT&T, most recently as a regional vice president for AT&T Global Business Communications Systems.
A native of Laredo, Texas, Tucker received her undergraduate degree in journalism, with honors, from The University of Texas in Austin. After working as a reporter for the San Antonio Express for two years, Tucker returned to UT-Austin to earn a master of business administration degree. She also holds honorary doctorates from Boston College, the University of Maryland University College and the University of Notre Dame. She currently resides in San Francisco.
“Sara Martinez Tucker has an impressive record of public and private sector service, both in the fields of education and telecommunications,” Michael G. Morris, chairman, president and CEO said. “Her extensive experience in telecommunications, education, customer service technologies and communications systems will be a valuable asset for our Board.”