COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 27, 2012 – American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) has announced organizational and executive leadership changes as part of a corporate-wide repositioning effort, according to Nicholas K. Akins, AEP president and chief executive officer. 

“These leadership changes and the process improvements that result from the ongoing repositioning effort are designed to position the company for success in a rapidly changing business environment,” Akins said.

Lana L. Hillebrand will join AEP as senior vice president and chief administrative officer, reporting to Akins. Hillebrand is currently with Aon Hewitt, where she has worked since 2001, most recently as the South Region Leader – Senior Partner in Dallas. Prior to joining Aon Hewitt, Hillebrand spent 18 years in a variety of positions with Central & South West Corporation, an electric utility holding company that merged with AEP in 2000. Hillebrand has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin and has completed executive programs at Columbia University and Harvard University. Reporting to Hillebrand will be Tracy A. Elich, vice president-Human Resources; Alberto G. Ruocco, vice president and chief information officer; and Thomas P. Householder, managing director-Labor Relations.

“I am thrilled that Lana is going to rejoin the company, bringing her wealth of experience to the challenging role of chief administrative officer for AEP,” Akins said.

Dennis E. Welch, currently executive vice president and chief administrative officer, will become executive vice president and chief external officer and will continue to report to Akins.  In this role, Welch will be responsible for governmental affairs, environmental affairs and services, corporate communications, safety and health, corporate sustainability, strategic policy analysis, corporate security and aviation, and real estate and workplace services.

“Dennis has played an increasing role externally, repeatedly demonstrating his skill and acumen in this area,” Akins said.

Barbara D. Radous, currently senior vice president-Shared Services, will become senior vice president-Repositioning & Program Management Office, reporting to David M. Feinberg, senior vice president, general counsel and secretary. Sandra K. Williams, vice president and chief compliance officer, also will become a new report to Feinberg.

“Barbara has been asked to use her expertise to focus on the critical task of ensuring that the actions we are taking to reposition the company are implemented successfully and are sustainable,” Akins said. 

Craig T. Rhoades, currently vice president-Customer Services, Marketing & Distribution Services, will become vice president-Supply Chain, Procurement & Fleet, reporting to Brian X. Tierney, executive vice president and chief financial officer.

“Craig has been an exceptional leader in his current role with the company,” Akins said. “We are now looking for him to apply his expertise and keen insights in the management of our Supply Chain, Procurement & Fleet organization. Doing so will expand his experience, and I am confident will lead to very positive results for the company.”

With the exception of Hillebrand, who will join AEP  Dec. 17, all other changes are effective Jan. 1, 2013. 

American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765-kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP’s transmission system directly or indirectly serves about 10 percent of the electricity demand in the Eastern Interconnection, the interconnected transmission system that covers 38 eastern and central U.S. states and eastern Canada, and approximately 11 percent of the electricity demand in ERCOT, the transmission system that covers much of Texas. 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.