AEP Retirees & Alumni

Shane Lies has been named senior vice president and chief nuclear officer of Cook Nuclear Plant, effective July 1. Lies will succeed Joel Gebbie, who has announced plans to retire after 36 years with the company.   Barton added, “Joel’s extensive experience, industry knowledge and focus on the culture necessary to support operational excellence has ensured Cook’s ability to generate clean, reliable power for the customers of Indiana Michigan Power. He developed an incredibly talented leadership team that is well-prepared to continue Cook’s legacy of excellence. We thank him for his significant contributions and leadership within the industry, as well as his service to Cook and AEP. We wish Joel all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”“Shane brings a deep understanding of the industry, nuclear operations and an appreciation for the culture needed to support nuclear excellence. Since joining Cook 26 years ago, he has developed deep knowledge of Cook Plant operations and built strong relationships with Cook employees, industry stakeholders and the surrounding communities,” said Lisa Barton, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “He has demonstrated his passion for operational excellence, reliability and ensuring that safety remains the top priority. As he transitions into his new role, I know his team will ensure that Cook continues to deliver clean, reliable energy to customers in Michigan and Indiana.”

“Kelly brings strong technical expertise and a shared commitment to safety, continuous improvement and is well prepared to continue to drive excellence in Cook’s operations and develop the Cook team as site vice president,” Barton said.Lies will report to Barton. His replacement as site vice president will be Kelly Ferneau, currently Cook’s plant manager.

Scott Dailey, operations director, has been named Cook’s new plant manager.

Lies joined AEP in 1996 as a system engineer at Cook and has served in numerous roles, including engineering vice president and plant manager. Lies has a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Kansas State University.

Ferneau joined AEP in 2013 as an operations work control manager at Cook and has served as director of operations in addition to her current role. She has held numerous roles in nuclear power generation since 1990. Ferneau holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Trine University and has held a senior reactor operator license.

Dailey joined AEP in 1999 as production supervisor for Cook’s Maintenance department and has served in numerous roles.

By George Porter

ROANOKE, Va. – AEP’s Camp Kilowatt will remain closed for the remainder of 2022 due to continued COVID-19 restrictions and planned upgrades.

Camp Kilowatt has been closed the last two seasons due to concerns for the spread of the coronavirus.  The decision was made recently to continue that ban through the 2022 season. Located on Smith Mountain Lake in Union Hall, Va., the cost-free campsite usually serves as a place of recreation and relaxation for current and retired AEP employees, their friends and family.

In addition to coronavirus concerns, AEP is planning to make upgrades to facilities, including the existing bath house.

“We realize that for many Camp Kilowatt is part of their summer vacation plans and we understand the disappointment this decision brings for those that utilize the campground each year,” said Mark McGlothlin, who oversees activities at the camp. “But once the planned upgrades are complete, we believe the camp will make it more enjoyable for visitors.”

Arkansas

Hiram Rice retired 1/18/2022 from Flint Creek Plant, Gentry, AR, after 13 years

Damon Robertson retired 2/24/2022 from Flint Creek Plant, Gentry, AR, after 26 years

Gregory Baker retired 1/15/2022 from Fayetteville Operations, Fayetteville, AR, after 31 years

Ricky Smith retired 2/28/2022 from Dequeen, Dequeen, AR, after 37 years

Damon Robertson retired 2/24/2022 from Flint Creek Plant, Gentry, AR, after 26 years

Ricky Smith retired 2/28/2022 from Dequeen, Dequeen, AR, after 37 years

Florida

Douglas Lee retired 2/1/2022 from Home Worksite, FL, after 12 years

Illinois

Ronald Harner retired 2/1/2022 from Cook Coal Terminal, Metropolis, IL, after 20 years

Indiana

Rudolf Schirr retired 1/15/2022 from Elkhart Ofc/Svc Bldg, Elkhart, IN, after 33 years

Mitchell Montgomery retired 2/11/2022 from Rockport Plant, Rockport, IN, after 34 years

Gary Benya retired 1/7/2022 from Northeast Svc Center, New Haven, IN, after 32 years

Sandra Stephey retired 1/7/2022 from Ft Wayne One Summit Square, Ft. Wayne, IN, after 29 years

Donald Fry retired 2/11/2022 from Marion Svc Ctr-Bldg#1, Marion, IN, after 34 years

Douglas Neumann retired 2/1/2022 from South Bend Svc Ctr, South Bend, IN, after 43 years

Thomas Tincher retired 2/5/2022 from South Bend Svc Ctr, South Bend, IN, after 14 years

Shauna Boerjan retired 1/15/2022 from Spy Run Bldg. #3, Ft. Wayne, IN, after 31 years

Susan Wenger retired 2/12/2022 from Ardmore Trans TC Serv Center, Ft Wayne, IN, after 41 years

Hiram Rivera retired 1/28/2022 from Ardmore Trans TC Serv Center, Ft Wayne, IN, after 36 years

Mitchell Montgomery retired 2/11/2022 from Rockport Plant, Rockport, IN, after 34 years

Sandra Stephey retired 1/7/2022 from Ft Wayne One Summit Square, Ft. Wayne, IN, after 29 years

Kentucky

Jackie Maggard retired 12/2/2021 from Hazard Service Center, Hazard, KY, after 45 years

Gregory Shouse retired 1/29/2022 from Hazard Service Center, Hazard, KY, after 41 years

Marion Blair retired 11/25/2021 from Whitesburg Office, Whitesburg, KY, after 43 years

Martin Adams retired 1/7/2022 from Whitesburg Office, Whitesburg, KY, after 41 years

Joseph Reed retired 11/18/2021 from Pikeville Service Ctr, Pikeville, KY, after 34 years

Vickie Reynolds retired 1/8/2022 from Robert E Matthews Service Cent, Ashland, KY, after 39 years

Louisiana

Charles Lynch retired 2/19/2022 from Shreveport Operations, Shreveport, LA, after 11 years

Joseph Dixon retired 2/25/2022 from Shreveport Operations, Shreveport, LA, after 42 years

Tommy Russell retired 1/15/2022 from Mansfield Service Center, Mansfield, LA, after 36 years

Patti Stripling retired 2/2/2022 from Haughton Opns Center, Haughton, LA, after 32 years

Rufus Thompson retired 1/10/2022 from Shreveport Office, Shreveport, LA, after 19 years

Patti Stripling retired 2/2/2022 from Haughton Opns Center, Haughton, LA, after 32 years

Michigan

Douglas Bronicki retired 11/13/2021 from Cook Nuclear Plant, Bridgman, MI, after 38 years

Michael Barfelz retired 11/16/2021 from Cook Nuclear Plant, Bridgman, MI, after 45 years

Karl Myers retired 11/16/2021 from Cook Nuclear Plant, Bridgman, MI, after 41 years

Carlyn Guyor retired 12/9/2021 from Cook Nuclear Plant, Bridgman, MI, after 30 years

Ronald Price retired 12/19/2021 from Cook Nuclear Plant, Bridgman, MI, after 26 years

Lee Huttenga retired 12/26/2021 from Cook Nuclear Plant, Bridgman, MI, after 12 years

Larry Smith retired 1/7/2022 from Cook Nuclear Plant, Bridgman, MI, after 30 years

Gustave Carlson retired 1/7/2022 from Cook Nuclear Plant, Bridgman, MI, after 20 years

Thomas Swihart retired 1/8/2022 from Cook Nuclear Plant, Bridgman, MI, after 31 years

Thomas Shane retired 1/14/2022 from Cook Nuclear Plant, Bridgman, MI, after 38 years

Carlton Carr retired 1/28/2022 from Cook Nuclear Plant, Bridgman, MI, after 10 years

Russell Stines retired 2/10/2022 from Cook Nuclear Plant, Bridgman, MI, after 20 years

Albert Fonner retired 2/16/2022 from Cook Nuclear Plant, Bridgman, MI, after 21 years

David Dolby retired 2/18/2022 from Cook Nuclear Plant, Bridgman, MI, after 37 years

Larry Koch retired 2/24/2022 from Cook Nuclear Plant, Bridgman, MI, after 39 years

Donald Peterson retired 2/25/2022 from Cook Nuclear Plant, Bridgman, MI, after 35 years

Michael Woodward retired 2/26/2022 from Michiana SC, Niles, MI, after 40 years

Ohio

Robert Frank retired 12/11/2021 from AEP Headquarters, Columbus, OH, after 32 years

Julie Slone retired 12/11/2021 from AEP Headquarters, Columbus, OH, after 23 years

Paul Benjamin retired 12/11/2021 from AEP Headquarters, Columbus, OH, after 32 years

Thomas Phillips retired 1/1/2022 from AEP Headquarters, Columbus, OH, after 37 years

Randolph Ware retired 1/1/2022 from AEP Headquarters, Columbus, OH, after 40 years

Sherri Monteith retired 1/8/2022 from AEP Headquarters, Columbus, OH, after 31 years

Kimberly Bercik retired 1/22/2022 from AEP Headquarters, Columbus, OH, after 21 years

Mark Colegrove retired 1/28/2022 from AEP Headquarters, Columbus, OH, after 33 years

Jodelle Carroll retired 1/29/2022 from AEP Headquarters, Columbus, OH, after 16 years

Victor Linsten retired 2/1/2022 from AEP Headquarters, Columbus, OH, after 21 years

Randy Hardesty retired 2/1/2022 from AEP Headquarters, Columbus, OH, after 46 years

Robert Taylor retired 2/11/2022 from AEP Headquarters, Columbus, OH, after 37 years

Fredric Friend retired 2/23/2022 from AEP Headquarters, Columbus, OH, after 35 years

William Wilson retired 1/1/2022 from Central Operations Center, Groveport, OH, after 42 years

Radonna Burns retired 11/30/2021 from Central Operations Center, Groveport, OH, after 26 years

Daniel Musgrave retired 1/8/2022 from John E. Dolan Lab, Groveport, OH, after 18 years

Susan Shull retired 1/8/2022 from Fremont Service Center, Fremont, OH, after 32 years

Victor Thompson retired 2/11/2022 from Zanesville Svc Ctr, Zanesville, OH, after 38 years

William Gross retired 2/10/2022 from Cambridge Service Center, Cambridge, OH, after 40 years

David Hanes retired 12/21/2021 from Muskingum River, Waterford, OH, after 43 years

Leroy Johnson retired 11/17/2021 from Steubenville Service Center, Steubenville, OH, after 42 years

Brian Monte retired 1/1/2022 from Steubenville Service Center, Steubenville, OH, after 34 years

Henry Verhovec retired 2/12/2022 from Steubenville Service Center, Steubenville, OH, after 21 years

Richard Tharp retired 1/29/2022 from Canton Estrn Reg Ofc, Canton, OH, after 32 years

Jon Hanning retired 2/11/2022 from Athens Ofc & Svc Center, Athens, OH, after 43 years

Patrick Weyers retired 1/15/2022 from AEP Transmission New Albany HQ, New Albany, OH, after 23 years

Jacqueline Weyers retired 1/1/2022 from AEPOH 700 Bldg Gahanna, Gahanna, OH, after 33 years

Clifford Buie retired 2/2/2022 from AEPOH 700 Bldg Gahanna, Gahanna, OH, after 31 years

Mona Rogers retired 2/19/2022 from AEPOH 700 Bldg Gahanna, Gahanna, OH, after 42 years

Bruce Bolner retired 1/8/2022 from Lucasville Service Center, Lucasville, OH, after 47 years

Carmen Angelo retired 2/12/2022 from Columbus SE Service Center, Columbus, OH, after 41 years

Emily Kiser retired 2/10/2022 from Newark Service Bldg, Newark, OH, after 41 years

Michael Searls retired 1/1/2022 from Canton Transmission SC, Canton, OH, after 44 years

Steven Hoffman retired 2/11/2022 from Canton Transmission SC, Canton, OH, after 41 years

John Goodyear retired 2/12/2022 from Columbus Ne Svc Ctr, Columbus, OH, after 42 years

Timothy Jackson retired 12/2/2021 from East Ohio Transmission SC, St. Clairsville, OH, after 32 years

Sherri Monteith retired 1/8/2022 from AEP Headquarters, Columbus, OH, after 31 years

Radonna Burns retired 11/30/2021 from Central Operations Center, Groveport, OH, after 26 years

Daniel Musgrave retired 1/8/2022 from John E. Dolan Lab, Groveport, OH, after 18 years

Victor Thompson retired 2/11/2022 from Zanesville Svc Ctr, Zanesville, OH, after 38 years

Henry Verhovec retired 2/12/2022 from Steubenville Service Center, Steubenville, OH, after 21 years

Richard Tharp retired 1/29/2022 from Canton Estrn Reg Ofc, Canton, OH, after 32 years

Carmen Angelo retired 2/12/2022 from Columbus SE Service Center, Columbus, OH, after 41 years

John Goodyear retired 2/12/2022 from Columbus Ne Svc Ctr, Columbus, OH, after 42 years

Oklahoma

Stanley Whiteford retired 11/13/2021 from Tulsa General Office, Tulsa, OK, after 35 years

Natalie McCord retired 2/19/2022 from Tulsa General Office, Tulsa, OK, after 29 years

Michael Renfroe retired 1/7/2022 from Nowata, Nowata, OK, after 25 years

Charlotte Stukey retired 2/9/2022 from North Div Opns Center, Bartlesville, OK, after 37 years

Billy Morgan retired 2/23/2022 from Northeastern Stn 3&4, Oologah, OK, after 26 years

Ricky Nelson retired 1/8/2022 from McAlester Operations Center, McAlester, OK, after 30 years

Stephen Compton retired 1/3/2022 from Lawton Office, Lawton, OK, after 40 years

Clifford Brady retired 1/8/2022 from Lawton Opn Center, Lawton, OK, after 42 years

David Holman retired 2/5/2022 from Mid Metro, Tulsa, OK, after 22 years

Brian Hoover retired 2/9/2022 from Catoosa Hub, Tulsa, OK, after 43 years

David White retired 1/7/2022 from Tulsa Transmission Office & SC, Tulsa, OK, after 30 years

Michael Renfroe retired 1/7/2022 from Nowata, Nowata, OK, after 25 years

Brian Hoover retired 2/9/2022 from Catoosa Hub, Tulsa, OK, after 43 years

Pennsylvania

Shawn Cannon retired 1/1/2022 from United Science Testing, Inc., Warrendale, PA, after 28 years

Tennessee

Charlie Gray retired 1/29/2022 from Kingsport Service Ctr, Kingsport, TN, after 39 years

Texas

Franklin Rokyta retired 1/7/2022 from Victoria Service Center, Victoria, TX, after 36 years

Tim Wenske retired 1/8/2022 from Victoria Service Center, Victoria, TX, after 36 years

Lee Gaw retired 2/19/2022 from Longview Operations, Longview, TX, after 40 years

Fabian Rivera retired 2/5/2022 from Electric System Ops, Corpus Christi, TX, after 42 years

Luis Castillo retired 2/19/2022 from Pharr North Service Center, Pharr, TX, after 37 years

Belinda Perez retired 1/29/2022 from Kingsville CDC, Kingsville, TX, after 42 years

Armando Sandoval retired 2/5/2022 from Kingsville CDC, Kingsville, TX, after 34 years

Harry Allibone retired 2/9/2022 from El Campo Svc Center, El Campo, TX, after 40 years

Donald Sponsler retired 2/15/2022 from Uvalde Service Center, Uvalde, TX, after 32 years

Anthony Mars retired 12/2/2021 from Pirkey Plant, Hallsville, TX, after 38 years

Randy Woodson retired 1/31/2022 from Mt Pleasant, Mt Pleasant, TX, after 40 years

John Hudson retired 2/19/2022 from Hamlin, Hamlin, TX, after 45 years

Michael Jones retired 1/22/2022 from Central Shops, Corpus Christi, TX, after 32 years

Leslie Denton retired 2/16/2022 from Vernon, Vernon, TX, after 37 years

Mark Bayliss retired 1/7/2022 from Marshall, Marshall, TX, after 29 years

Billy Dewoody retired 2/15/2022 from Welsh Plant, Pittsburg, TX, after 41 years

Troy Buzbee retired 2/17/2022 from Welsh Plant, Pittsburg, TX, after 35 years

David Taylor retired 2/26/2022 from Welsh Plant, Pittsburg, TX, after 42 years

Ricky Staley retired 1/8/2022 from Lon Hill Transmission Service, Corpus Christi, TX, after 37 years

Homero Martinez retired 2/10/2022 from San Benito Service Center, San Benito, TX, after 30 years

Diane Halfmann retired 12/31/2021 from San Angelo SC, San Angelo, TX, after 25 years

Clay Gibson retired 1/7/2022 from San Angelo SC, San Angelo, TX, after 40 years

Bobby Elizondo retired 2/11/2022 from San Angelo SC, San Angelo, TX, after 42 years

Steve Thomas retired 1/1/2022 from Abilene T&D Operations, Abilene, TX, after 44 years

Arthur Gonzalez retired 1/8/2022 from Corpus Christi TOC, Corpus Christi, TX, after 41 years

Donna Hayward retired 2/4/2022 from Wilkes Plant, Avinger, TX, after 21 years

Manuel Barbosa retired 1/1/2022 from Los Fresnos SC, Los Fresnos, TX, after 21 years

Javier Rodriguez retired 2/28/2022 from Aransas Pass Svc Center, Aransas Pass, TX, after 43 years

Raymond Perez retired 1/15/2022 from Corpus Christi Service Center, Corpus Christi, TX, after 42 years

Gary Gibbs retired 1/1/2022 from Austin Govt Office, Austin, TX, after 39 years

Jesse McCulley retired 2/11/2022 from Austin Govt Office, Austin, TX, after 28 years

Lee Gaw retired 2/19/2022 from Longview Operations, Longview, TX, after 40 years

Anthony Mars retired 12/2/2021 from Pirkey Plant, Hallsville, TX, after 38 years

Randy Woodson retired 1/31/2022 from Mt Pleasant, Mt Pleasant, TX, after 40 years

Mark Bayliss retired 1/7/2022 from Marshall, Marshall, TX, after 29 years

David Taylor retired 2/26/2022 from Welsh Plant, Pittsburg, TX, after 42 years

Ricky Staley retired 1/8/2022 from Lon Hill Transmission Service, Corpus Christi, TX, after 37 years

Virginia

Claude Dillow retired 2/2/2022 from Glade Spring Service Center, Glade Spring, VA, after 39 years

Franklin White retired 1/1/2022 from Pulaski Svc Center, Pulaski, VA, after 30 years

Louis Defendini retired 1/27/2022 from Claytor Hydro, Radford, VA, after 14 years

Herbert Coles retired 2/16/2022 from Roanoke Service Bldg., Roanoke, VA, after 36 years

Jerry Leonard retired 2/5/2022 from Woodlawn Service Center, Woodlawn, VA, after 15 years

Mark Clark retired 2/26/2022 from John W. Vaughan Ctr Mtr/Str, Roanoke, VA, after 44 years

Robert Vaughan retired 1/8/2022 from John W. Vaughan Center, Roanoke, VA, after 43 years

Louis Defendini retired 1/27/2022 from Claytor Hydro, Radford, VA, after 14 years

Robert Vaughan retired 1/8/2022 from John W. Vaughan Center, Roanoke, VA, after 43 years

West Virginia

Rudolph Vass retired 1/8/2022 from Williamson Svc Ctr, Williamson, WV, after 37 years

Ventrue Means retired 1/11/2022 from Hurricane Call Ctr, Hurricane, WV, after 23 years

Camilla Courts retired 2/4/2022 from Hurricane Call Ctr, Hurricane, WV, after 20 years

Robert Frame retired 2/1/2022 from Amos Plant, Winfield, WV, after 13 years

Dale Hedrick retired 2/4/2022 from Amos Plant, Winfield, WV, after 16 years

Leon Lilly retired 2/11/2022 from Bluefield Wv Srv Ctr, Bluefield, WV, after 33 years

William Costello retired 2/1/2022 from Mitchell Plant, Cresap, WV, after 35 years

Terry Matesick retired 11/19/2021 from Mitchell Plant, Cresap, WV, after 39 years

Edward Hucks retired 1/8/2022 from Pt Pleasant Ofc & Svc Ctr, Pt. Pleasant, WV, after 13 years

Mark Gibson retired 2/25/2022 from Central Machine Shop, South Charleston, WV, after 41 years

Paul Hemsley retired 2/11/2022 from Wheeling Service Bldg, Wheeling, WV, after 31 years

Mark Miller retired 1/31/2022 from Mountaineer Plant, New Haven, WV, after 31 years

Robert Blackston retired 1/31/2022 from Mountaineer Plant, New Haven, WV, after 44 years

Kelly Hawk retired 2/28/2022 from Mountaineer Plant, New Haven, WV, after 42 years

Gary Nelson retired 11/30/2021 from Mountaineer Plant, New Haven, WV, after 33 years

Basil Keller retired 1/21/2022 from Mountaineer Plant, New Haven, WV, after 43 years

Donnie Boney retired 11/16/2021 from River Trans Division, West Columbia, WV, after 45 years

Charles Douthit retired 2/15/2022 from River Trans Division, West Columbia, WV, after 42 years

Matthew Johnson retired 2/25/2022 from River Trans Division, West Columbia, WV, after 41 years

Ted Middleton retired 1/7/2022 from N Charleston Svc Ctr, Charleston, WV, after 37 years

James Ratliff retired 1/28/2022 from N Charleston Svc Ctr, Charleston, WV, after 40 years

Terry Moore retired 2/19/2022 from N Charleston Svc Ctr, Charleston, WV, after 36 years

Kimberly McDaniel retired 1/21/2022 from N Charleston Svc Ctr, Charleston, WV, after 19 years

Jeri Matheney retired 12/1/2021 from APCO Headquarters, Charleston, WV, after 25 years

Ronald Harrison retired 1/13/2022 from Ripley Ofc & Svc Ctr, Ripley, WV, after 43 years

Dale Hedrick retired 2/4/2022 from Amos Plant, Winfield, WV, after 16 years

Edward Hucks retired 1/8/2022 from Pt Pleasant Ofc & Svc Ctr, Pt. Pleasant, WV, after 13 years

Mark Gibson retired 2/25/2022 from Central Machine Shop, South Charleston, WV, after 41 years

Terry Moore retired 2/19/2022 from N Charleston Svc Ctr, Charleston, WV, after 36 years

James Ratliff retired 1/28/2022 from N Charleston Svc Ctr, Charleston, WV, after 40 years

There have been a number of people asking about how to get their W-2 or why they haven’t received one yet, etc.

For all W-2 related questions, please send an email to PRTAX@AEP.COM. In the body of the email indicate you name, last four digits of your social security number, and your email address. Payroll will respond to your message.

Thanks!

The country’s economy is recovering from the impact of the pandemic, and AEP has seen those positive changes in our financial performance. We earned more in 2021 than 2020, and our load growth last year was the strongest in more than a decade. We also increased our quarterly dividend in October and reported our strongest-ever fourth quarter earnings. You can read a breakdown of the earnings by following this link.

What’s behind the numbers: Our financial performance in 2021 shows that the changes AEP has made (transitioning to renewables, focusing on capital spend and curbing O&M) are working.

• “Our strong earnings results in 2021 were driven by continued strategic investments in a clean, reliable, resilient and cost-effective energy system to benefit our customers and communities,” said Nick Akins, chairman, president and chief executive officer.

Big changes in 2022: We are refining our financial and operations focus in 2022. We’re making these changes because we are confident in our ability to execute our strategy.

Here’s a rundown of the changes:

• New guidance range: We are raising our 2022 operating earnings guidance range by 2 cents to $4.87 to $5.07 per share and increasing our long-term growth rate to 6% to 7%.
  • Putting the increase in context: While this might sound like a big change, AEP has been the upper part of its 5% to 7% growth rate for the past decade. You can see this in the graphic in this article. Also, many of our peer utilities have also raised their long-term growth rates.
• Changing where we spend capital: We are shifting $1.5 billion in capital to Transmission and reducing unregulated Generation and Marketing capital by $1.3 billion.
  • Helping customers: AEP’s move to redeploy capital brings our planned transmission investment to $14.4 billion over the next five years. This will help us improve reliability for customers, modernize the grid and support the clean energy transition.
• Evaluating potential sale of unregulated renewable assets: AEP is beginning a process to evaluate selling some or all of our unregulated contracted renewables portfolio. These renewable facilities are part of the AEP Renewables organization of AEP Energy Supply.
  • Why we’re doing this: The sale of unregulated renewables will provide additional capital to invest in our core regulated businesses to support rebuilding and reinforcing the grid and enhancing service for customers.

How employees can support these changes: We can achieve these goals when we execute on our plan. This means:

• Being efficient with our O&M to make sure we’re living within our budgeted means.
• Deploying the capital we said we would deploy and not leaving it on the table.

“We’re operating in a dynamic space, and this requires constant communication We want people to speak up when things aren’t going as planned so we can make adjustments. It’s important that we stay on track because we have a plan that works when it’s executed,” said Julie Sloat, executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Renewables will continue to expand: We plan to add 16,000 megawatts of renewables in our regulated states by 2030, and our work is well underway. This includes the completion of North Central wind projects which will deliver an estimated $3 billion in customer savings over the next 30 years. We are seeking regulatory approval for 409 MW of renewable generation for Appalachian Power customers and are currently in the market for additional renewable resources in our Appalachian Power, I&M, PSO and SWEPCO territories.

• Reminder of why we’re changing: These clean energy investments and our focus on deploying new technologies and enhancing the grid will allow us to reach our goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050

Status of Kentucky sale: As we announced in October, we expect to close on the sale of our Kentucky operations in the second quarter of 2022 once we receive the necessary state and federal regulatory approvals. We are working closely with Liberty to ensure a smooth transition for customers and the Kentucky employees who will transfer to Liberty after the close of the sale.

By now you may have heard the news: Intel is planning to build the world’s largest semiconductor factory in central Ohio. What you may not know is that AEP played an important role in landing the huge plant in central Ohio.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the months of careful planning that went into the announcement.

A Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity

In May 2021, AEP’s economic development team received a call from its partners at One Columbus, a private nonprofit designed to drive job creation in central Ohio. One Columbus collaborates with AEP on promising leads for business opportunities and AEP crafts development plans, identifies properties and puts together  an initial proposal.

One Columbus asked AEP about relocating a recently constructed 345-kilovolt line that bisected land a prospect was considering. One Columbus then passed along an RFI (request for information) document from an unnamed company spelling out the requirements for the project. Though an RFI is a typical step for any possible venture, this one was very different.“Our relationship with One Columbus is very close and integral to what we do,” said Ashley Savieo, a director of economic development at AEP. “They’re an industry-leading economic development organization. We’re also closely aligned with JobsOhio, the state’s lead economic development group.”

“It was very specific. We could tell right away from looking at the RFI that the customer had done this before. This was a sophisticated company that had already done research into the state and had specific electric requirements,” Savieo said.

“This was a once-in-a-generation economic development project. It was all hands on deck.”

It was clear to everyone involved that the project would have a huge impact not just on AEP but the entire region. The initial job creation projections, supply chain demands and spinoff numbers related to the project were staggering. Savieo said the magnitude was unlike anything she had ever seen – bigger even than the nationally publicized Amazon second headquarters project.

Cottrell knew right away this effort was going to be massive, and complicated. Interconnection Services manager Corey Cottrell also got involved. He leads a team at AEP that facilitates the process of getting very large industrial businesses connected to the electrical transmission system. Interconnection Services plays a large role in the earliest stages of a project to determine its scope and get answers to immediate, difficult questions.

“I asked, ‘Is that right?’ It looked like someone moved a decimal point,” Cottrell said. “It was immense. You don’t see things like this that often, if ever. It was stunning.”

The First Pitch

Working with AEP’s Grid Solutions and Energy Delivery teams, Interconnection Services began pulling together conceptual plans and initial preliminary estimates to present to the customer that was soon unveiled: Intel. Data-filled spreadsheets were sent, and within a week, an in-person meeting was scheduled to talk more about it.

“You have to remember, we were all working from home, and I hadn’t had an in-person meeting in a year and a half,” Cottrell said. “We were kind of scrambling, not just from a content perspective but also doing things the right way from a COVID perspective – being social distanced, wearing masks, following the right protocols. It was tough.”

Long story short, the exploratory meeting was a success.AEP’s contingent included representatives from Interconnection Services (Cottrell and Nicole Pascucci),  AEP Ohio’s Economic & Business Development (Liberty Schindel and Matt Cybulski) and Raja Sundararajan, then AEP Ohio’s president and chief operating officer. They were joined by representatives from JobsOhio, One Columbus, the city of New Albany and the New Albany Company, a real estate developer.

“They slotted us in for an hour and they met with us for almost the whole afternoon,” Cottrell said. “They were really engaged and you could tell they were happy with what we were providing them.

Working Blind

“It went fast. Right off the bat we started talking temporary and permanent service. We had to understand their power needs and come up with a game plan,” Greve said. “I really didn’t know who we were talking about or what the customer was. It was confidential. So, we were working blind and trying to understand just what the project was going to entail.”Shortly after the June meeting, Tony Greve, An AEP Ohio customer account manager, was brought into the effort. Greve took the lead on determining the distribution requirements for the top-secret project.

The project was fast-tracked. There was a strong desire to make this happen.

“From the beginning we started talking to our leadership team about what this would look like and what we would need to do to fulfill the customer’s request,” Greve said. “They were fully on board with whatever we needed to do to secure the project, within reason.”

Making the Case

As the summer wore on, the end result was far from known.

Greve and the AEP Ohio distribution team were still trying to get a full grasp of what they needed to serve the customer; Cottrell and his team fielded more questions and provided additional context when necessary; Savieo, as AEP’s point of contact with Intel, maintained constant communication with all parties to stay on top of potential issues.

By August, AEP representatives believed they were one of four finalists for the factory. A date was set in late September for AEP Ohio to present its final pitch to Intel.

“We were treating this as a very real possibility and wanted to clarify all questions with Intel,” Savieo said. “Potential rates. Timelines. Sustainability goals. We kept making tweaks and checking to see if we were aligned. There was a lot of back and forth. Many spreadsheets. We spent close to a month refining our proposal.”

Talking points were rehearsed; visual aides were triple checked. AEP wanted to be ready.

“Our partners were telling us this meeting was important,” Savieo said. “We assembled a small but powerful team. We needed leadership who had authority to make certain statements so it was clear it was not just a sales pitch.”

Savieo, Cottrell and Greve attended that pivotal meeting. Schindel and Pascucci returned, too. They were joined by Marc Reitter (AEP Ohio’s president and chief operating officer), Steve Nourse (vice president in AEP’s legal department) and Andrea Moore (managing director of regulatory case management).

During the face-to-face meeting with Intel – with JobsOhio in the room – AEP officials presented what it was offering and asked: Does this work for you? Is this what you’re after?

‘Lots of Things Still Could Have Gone Wrong’

With negotiations narrowing, discussions about the final details extended through the fall as Intel weighed the pros and cons of each potential location. The team continued to carefully navigate any potential pitfalls, pulling in people to quell issues as they arose. That included Reitter elaborating on strategic questions and reconfirming AEP’s ability to meet deadlines. Together with One Columbus and JobsOhio, AEP assembled the final job package, complete with a “punch list” of things that were needed to get the project from concept to execution.

“We went from extremely conceptual to let’s start sharpening our pencils,” Cottrell said. “There was a lot more teeth to what we were doing. We knew this was the real deal.”Cottrell began to see the finish line come into focus. He and his team coordinated in-depth meetings with Intel to discuss maps, electrical diagrams and framing up the details that would be needed to bring the project to real life. The routes for power lines, the size of the substation, the exact location of the facility – each item was crossed off the list one by one.

In early December AEP was told that Ohio was the frontrunner.

“A lot of things still could have gone wrong,” Savieo said. “Not necessarily just us, but there were tens of other Ohio departments who were also involved with this.”

Fortunately, nothing went wrong. Word came to Governor Mike DeWine in a handwritten note on Christmas Day.

Central Ohio had won.

‘Pure Excitement’ … and Forging Ahead

In the euphoric aftermath of the decision, those involved are basking in the accomplishment while appreciating the huge undertaking that remains ahead.

“With all the growth in New Albany, from an infrastructure perspective, it’s kind of like a giant puzzle with lots of pieces,” Cottrell said. “There are gaps. If we didn’t have that level of engagement from so many planning and engineering groups, it’s almost impossible to get a project that large inside a compact area with everything that’s going on there. I just don’t think this happens.”

Intel has yet to talk much about possible future phases of its investment, which will cause the plant’s already large electrical demand to grow even more.

“We have to put together the whole power needs for the customer site, which we’re still working on,” Greve said. “The good news is they don’t need permanent power until the middle of 2024.”

Everyone involved knows the importance of their work on this once-in-a-generation project.

“It was pure excitement. People saw right from the get-go how big this is and the impact it will have on our community,” Cottrell said. “Everybody had that drop-everything mentality. People saw how big a deal this is going to be for Columbus and for AEP.”