AEP Names Wells Vice President, Sales, Economic and Business Development

COLUMBUS, Ohio,Nov. 4, 2020/PRNewswire/ -- American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) has promotedTimothy J. Wellsto vice president, Sales, Economic and Business Development, effectiveNov. 2, 2020. Wells replacesMark Jameswho retired last month.

Wells, 55, will lead AEP's efforts to attract new commercial and industrial customers to its service territory and help existing customers take advantage of AEP's growing menu of business consultation services. AEP has unique expertise in the energy field and has become a trusted energy advisor to many of its larger customers. Wells will be responsible for leading growth in services that fall outside of the distribution and transmission of electricity, in addition to helping communities bring new jobs to their local economies.

Since joining AEP in 1990, Wells has served in a number of roles focusing on economic development. Most recently, he led economic development activities for AEP Ohio where he helped establish AEP and AEP Ohio as a preferred utility partner with the burgeoning data center and technology sector. Wells earned a bachelor's degree fromOhio Wesleyan University, a master's degree fromMiami(Ohio) Universityand an MBA from theUniversity of Notre Dame,Mendoza Collegeof Business. He also is a Certified Economic Developer by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

Wells reports toThomas Kirkpatrick, senior vice president and chief customer officer.

"Our ability to help the communities we serve attract new businesses and to use our expertise in the energy field to help current business customers become more efficient is a critical part of AEP's strategy. Tim has demonstrated an ability to work with our customers, communities and partners to make this happen. His unique experience and determination will be an asset as he leads our economic development team," Kirkpatrick said.

The Economic Development team Wells leads includes two realigned roles that will focus efforts in the company's eastern and western operations.

Ashley Savieowill serve as director, Economic & Business Development, focusing on AEP's eastern territory. Savieo most recently co-led the customer attraction and growth efforts for Indiana Michigan Power. She has 15 years of experience in economic development in northeastIndianaand led teams that secured a$14 millioninvestment fromItaly-based INOX Market Services inMuncie, Indiana, and a$30 millionAmazon Delivery Station inFort Wayne, Indiana. Immediately prior to joining AEP, Savieo served as the Marketing Communications Manager for VOSS Automotive's North American business. Savieo is a graduate ofPurdue Universityand earned the Certified Economic Developer designation from the IEDC.

Janet Smithwill serve as director, Economic & Business Development, focusing on AEP's western territory. Smith currently works with Public Service Company ofOklahoma(PSO) customers and communities on business development and retention. With more than 30 years in the economic development arena, Smith has helped attract many large employers to PSO's territory. Most recently, she helped attract a$360 millionmanufacturing facility to the Inola River/Rail Site, in addition to working with companies expanding their operations in PSO's territory. She is a Certified Economic Developer by the IEDC. Smith, anArkansasnative, graduated fromArkansas State University.

American Electric Power, based inColumbus, Ohio, is focused on building a smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions to our customers. AEP's approximately 17,000 employees operate and maintain the nation's largest electricity transmission system and more than 221,000 miles of distribution lines to efficiently deliver safe, reliable power to nearly 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity producers with approximately 30,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 5,300 megawatts of renewable energy. AEP's family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (inVirginiaandWest Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (inTennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company ofOklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (inArkansas,Louisiana, eastTexasand theTexas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, AEP Energy Partners, AEP OnSite Partners, and AEP Renewables, which provide innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aep-names-wells-vice-president-sales-economic-and-business-development-301166377.html

SOURCE American Electric Power