Business First

Several executive changes made at AEP’s transmission business

Business First

Date: Wednesday, December 14, 2011,

American Electric Power Co. Inc. promoted, hired or shifted on the organizational chart, several employees in its transmission business.

American Electric Power Co. Inc.    is shaking up its transmission business.

The Columbus-based power company announced Tuesday that several employees in the division will be promoted, hired or shifted on the organizational chart, effective Jan. 1.

Michael Heyeck , senior vice president of transmission, will act as president of a joint venture between AEP and MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co.   

AEP hired Scott Smith , formerly vice president and assistant to the president of Ohio Valley Electric Corp.    , as its senior vice president of transmission strategy and business operation.

Robert Bradish was promoted from managing director of transmission planning and business development to vice president of grid development.

And Scott Moore , vice president of transmission engineering and project services, now will report directly to Lisa Barton , executive vice president of AEP Transmission.

The organizational changes are designed to help the division focus on “implementing transmission projects in the company’s 11-state footprint, increasing investments to improve transmission infrastructure and continuing to develop joint venture projects outside the company’s service territory,” according to a press release.

“Much of the investment in the transmission system was made decades ago. We believe that now is the time to re-invest in the system to ensure we can continue providing reliable, efficient transmission service to our customers while we pursue transmission growth opportunities inside and outside of AEP’s service territory,” CEO Nicholas Akins said in the release. “This realignment of our transmission business will help us improve the system, advance our leadership in the industry and deliver earnings growth through transmission projects.”