AEP Announces Management Changes As Ohio Generation Separated into Competitive Unit

American Electric Power has announced organizational changes as part of a continuing corporate-wide repositioning effort, in light of the forthcoming separation of its Ohio generating assets from the utility into a competitive affiliate.

Charles E. Zebula, currently treasurer and senior vice president – Investor Relations, will become executive vice president – Energy Supply, a new position reporting to Robert P. Powers, executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Zebula will be responsible for separating AEP Ohio's generation from the company's regulated fleet by Jan. 1, 2014, as required under Ohio's move to enhance electric market deregulation.

Functions reporting to Zebula will include Commercial Operations; AEP Energy, the company's retail marketing unit; AEP Energy Partners, the company's wholesale power marketing unit; and AEP River Operations, the company's dry-bulk barge transportation subsidiary.

"Ohio's move to enhance electric market deregulation will shift much of AEP's Ohio generation into a separate competitive business. This is an important change for AEP. We're confident that Chuck's financial experience in leading AEP's treasury functions, combined with his prior operational experience running fuel procurement and our river operations business, makes him the right person to manage the transition and ensure it is seamless," said Nicholas K. Akins, AEP president and chief executive officer.

Julie Sloat, currently vice president – Regulatory Case Management, will become treasurer and senior vice president. Sloat will report to Brian X. Tierney, executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Sloat will replace Zebula as AEP's treasurer.

The changes are effective Jan. 1, 2013.