ArkLaTex Chapter Executive Committee

Alice Cogburn

2026 ArkLaTex Chapter Chair

Hi, my name is Alice Cogburn. I began my career in the utility industry in 2006 when I was hired as a contractor by AEP-Welsh. It was an education to say the least. I had never seen or heard of some of the equipment you find in a power plant. I was lucky enough to have some great co-worker's who were willing to not only answer my questions but take me out into the plant. This allowed me to understand my environment better. I was hired full time in October of 2010 as an admirative associate handling operations payroll and scheduling (and everything else they asked of me). I had the opportunity to earn my degrees and graduated with my MBA in May 2021 from Texas A&M Texarkana. I was promoted to Administrator Sr. at Wilkes/Know Lee in January 2022.

On a personal note, I enjoy traveling and spending time with family and friends. I have two children (James and Amber) both are married. I have three of the sweetest grandbabies (Evelyn, James, and Mayla) by my son. I am lucky enough to have them living next door and I can spoil them (and then send them home). I like the outdoors and spend most of my vacations enjoying the great rivers, lakes, and state parks Texas/Oklahoma has to offer.

I joined WiNUP in 2022 and attended my first conference (Little Rock). I was hooked!! Starting in 2023 I have had the honor to hold an office at the chapter level (Treasurer, International Board Rep, Vice Chair, and Chair). At the international level I have served on the Budget/Finance committee since 2023 (committee chair for two years). I have served on both Regional Conference committee and International Conference committee. All of these have been a great experience and have helped me develop and grow. I am excited to continue this journey at both local and international levels.

My best advice to new and experienced members is to be active in the organization at both the local and international levels. The reward is a network of women who support each other both personally and professionally. This network will help you grow, develop, and showcase your talents.

Miranda Nunnery

2026 ArkLaTex Chapter Vice Chair

Becky Whitenack

2026 ArkLaTex Chapter Secretary

Becky started working with AEP as a contractor at Pirkey Power Plant in 2013. She went full-time in 2014 and is now an Administrative Asst Sr. Currently she is the HPI Team Leader. She is serving on the Plant Safety Team and has been on the SHAC team for SWEPCO and PSO. In March of 2023 Pirkey Power will be closed. Becky will remain at the plant until it fully closes then she will transfer to another department in SWEPCO in the fall of 2023.

Becky loves helping others and is very involved in the community. She helped with Pirkey's annual Fishing for the Future event for kids with special needs at seven school districts. Started the Pirkey's Food Drive and got the plant supporting the Angel Tree program at Christmas. She is the plant Wellness Person. Is on the PAC Leadership team and was on the Transition committee for Pirkey's closure. Becky is a member and has served in several leadership position with the Judson Lions Club for over 30-years. She's been a Girl Scout volunteer and Troop Leader for many years along with several other community organizations. She has been a member of WiNUP since 2020 and is very excited about serving as the Chapter Secretary this year.

Becky lives in Longview, TX with her husband Brian and their daughter Kasey who is a Senior at UNT in Denton. She loves spending time with family and friends, reading when she has time, doing crafts, attending craft fairs and meeting new people.

Allison Sawyer

2026 ArkLaTex Treasurer

Allison is the Real Time Modeling, Coordination, and Displays Manager for the Western footprint for American Electric Power. The teams’ responsibilities include updating and maintaining any SCADA display and database work, updating and maintaining AEP's base EMS model, and coordination of the modeling side of Capital projects (including submitting changes to the RTO such as SPP and ERCOT). She started working with AEP as a contractor in 2012 as a SCADA Analyst. She got hired with AEP in 2013 and stayed as a SCADA Analyst until she got promoted to a supervisor role. After a few re-orgs, she found herself in a manager position which she has been enjoying. She graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe with a BBA in Computer Information Systems and a minor in Management before starting her career at AEP.

Allison lives in Shreveport, LA. She got married in 2019 to her husband Jarrod Sawyer and they have one dog child named Leo. Her hobbies include travelling, working out (mostly lifting weights or hiking), golfing, and trying new restaurants and visiting new places with her husband.

Allison has been a part of WiNUP for 6 years. She started off by receiving a free year membership through AEP by writing an essay of what WiNUP meant to her. She enjoyed being a part of such an awesome program, so she continued renewing her membership and became active in the Chapter board. She was the IB rep for 2 years, then became secretary, then Vice Chair, then Chapter Chair for 2024, and now treasurer. She has assisted in items for the planning committee during her first conference in Little Rock. She is also part of the Chapter's STEM committee and on the Website committee for International.

“Our chapter is growing and becoming more and more engaged, so I am very excited on what more our Chapter and the organization as a whole has in store for the future. It is a great opportunity for not only yourself and the potential for growth within your career, but also a great opportunity for others to learn more about what you do and all of the avenues you can take with a career in the utility industry.”