Transition Announcement: AABE Board Chair Simmons Welcomes Interim President & CEO

July 1, 2025
Dear AABE Member:
 
The American Association of Blacks in Energy’s (AABE) Board of Directors has appointed Thomas H. Graham, interim president and chief executive officer effective June 23, 2025. Graham succeeds Ralph Cleveland, who recently resigned from his management roles effective June 18, 2025. “The board appreciates Ralph's leadership of AABE during his tenure,” said, Kevin Simmons, chair of the AABE Board of Directors. “Thanks to his leadership, AABE continues to increase the awareness and importance of energy at a time when the energy industry continues to evolve.”
 
Graham is not unfamiliar to AABE. He first joined AABE DC in 1986. Over the years he served as AABE DC chapter interim president, conference speaker and moderator for our inaugural corporate director panel. He has continued his service to AABE by recently joining the AABE Emeritus Board.
He is also a retired Pepco Holdings, Inc. energy industry executive, and has more than three decades of executive leadership experience in the energy and nonprofit sectors. His demonstrated knowledge and expertise include serving on boards, profit, and loss responsibility, building effective partnerships with stakeholders, and designing and implementing organization strategic plans.
 
“I am extremely excited to lead the American Association of Blacks in Energy. AABE’s mission and commitment to communities is just as important today as it was when the organization was founded in 1976. The evolution of the energy industry is critical to all communities. I look forward to building upon the AABE legacy to ensure all voices are represented in all aspects of the energy industry,” said Graham.
 
During his 30-year career, Graham held several leadership roles with Pepco Holdings, Inc. including Pepco Region President and Vice President People Strategy & Human Resources.
Graham has received numerous prestigious energy industry, business, higher education, and civic awards including the 2022 US President’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Graham was recognized by the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council as a 2024 Top 100 Minority Business Enterprise award winner. In 2025, Graham received the Esse Quam Videri Award from the University of Tampa. This is the highest honor given to an alumnus for career accomplishments, civic responsibility, and support of the University.
 
Currently Graham serves on the University of Tampa Board of Trustees, Green Branch Foundation (Chairman), Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington, American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) Emeritus Board, WesBanco Advisory Board, Goodwill of Greater Washington, Veterans Services Corporation, Renewable Energy & Infrastructure Group, Medstar - Southern MD Hospital, South Jersey Industries (People and Remuneration Chair), Summit Utilities (HR & Safety Chair) and Midwest Reliability Organization (Personnel & Governance Chair/Lead Director).
 
Other leadership positions include the AABE (past D.C. Chapter president), Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation, Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners (Chairman) and Leadership Prince George’s (past president). Graham was also appointed to Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s Transition Team for Maryland Competitiveness Policies.
 
Regards,
 
Kevin Simmons
Board Chair
American Association of Blacks in Energy

Contact:
Camille Moore
2027130832 Phone
cmoore@aabe.org

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