AEP is Honored as Military-Friendly Employer for Seventh Consecutive Year

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- G.I. Jobs magazine has named American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) one of the nation's 100 most "military-friendly" employers for the seventh consecutive year.

G.I. Jobs helps provide training and career opportunities for veterans and those in transition from military to civilian employment.

AEP is one of only five companies that the publication has honored each year since the recognition program began in 2003. The company ranks 32nd on the top-100 list, which is headed by Union Pacific Railroad.

This year's honorees were selected from among more than 5,000 employers with annual revenues of at least $500 million. The December 2009 edition of G.I. Jobs, which features the list of military-friendly employers, can be accessed at http://www.GIJobs.com.

"The G.I. Jobs recognition means a lot to us," said Michael G. Morris, AEP chairman, president and chief executive officer. "AEP values the skills and personal qualities that military veterans often possess. These characteristics - technical skill, leadership qualities, flexibility and appreciation for teamwork - are critical to our organization's success."

The honored companies were selected based on their assets dedicated to military hiring, the percentage of new hires who are veterans and their policies regarding National Guard and reserve service, among other criteria.

Approximately 2,400 of AEP's roughly 21,700 employees have served in the military.

AEP enhanced its military leave policy in 2004, extending pay differential and benefits for up to two years for reservists and National Guard members who are called to active duty in emergency situations.

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.