AEP Names Julie Sloat President And COO Of AEP Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- American Electric Power AEP has named Julie A. Sloat president and chief operating officer of its AEP Ohio utility unit, effective May 2. Sloat currently is AEP's senior vice president and treasurer.

Sloat, 47, will have responsibility for all aspects of electric service for AEP Ohio's 1.5 million customers. She will report to Robert P. Powers, executive vice president and chief operating officer. Sloat will replace Pablo A. Vegas, who is leaving for a position at NiSource.

AEP expects to name a new treasurer soon.

"Julie's regulatory and financial expertise and deep understanding of our business will serve us well as we continue our focus on making investments that provide more reliable service, develop renewable power resources and give our Ohio customers tools to control how and when they use electricity. As important as her business acumen, Julie is able to connect with and develop positive, mutually beneficial relationships with people," Powers said. "A native of Bolivar, Ohio, and graduate of The Ohio State University, Julie has strong ties with Ohio companies and community organizations. She knows and loves the Buckeye State and will be focused on how AEP Ohio can best serve our customers and benefit Ohio's economy."

Sloat has served as AEP's senior vice president and treasurer since January 2013, with responsibility for AEP's treasury, trusts and investment activities. From 2009 to 2013, she was vice president – Regulatory Case Management, responsible for AEP's central regulatory case management and support activities for the 11 states in which AEP operates as well as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Sloat's leadership experience at AEP also includes Investor Relations, Strategic Initiatives, Economic Forecasting, and Credit Risk Management. Additionally, she served as vice president of corporate finance and investor relations at Tween Brands Inc. and has experience in both the banking and investment management industries.

Sloat earned a bachelor's degree in business administration with a double major in finance and economics from Ohio State. She received a master's degree in business administration from Ohio State and was the recipient of the Faculty Recognition Academic Excellence Award and the Weidler Scholar Award.

Sloat serves as a board member for Park National Corporation and The Park National Bank. She also is a board member for Goodwill Columbus and is chairperson of the organization's finance committee. Sloat is a member of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission executive committee and an executive champion for the AEP Pelotonia team. She previously was a board member for The Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland Council.

American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity and custom energy solutions to nearly 5.4 million customers in 11 states. AEP owns the nation's largest electricity transmission system, a more than 40,000-mile network that includes more 765-kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP also operates 223,000 miles of distribution lines. AEP ranks among the nation's largest generators of electricity, owning approximately 32,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP's utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). AEP's headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio.

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SOURCE American Electric Power