AEP names Tracy A. Elich VP of human resources, effective Nov. 14, following retirement of Gen Tuchow

Tracy McDonald

COLUMBUS, Ohio , November 16, 2011 (press release) – American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP - News) has named Tracy A. Elich vice president – human resources, effective Nov. 14 . Elich currently is managing director – corporate and field human resources for AEP. She will report to Barbara Radous , senior vice president – shared services.

Elich, 54, will be responsible for human resources support for AEP's approximately 18,900 employees including employee relations, leadership and organizational development, culture and diversity, benefits and compensation, and operations.

"Tracy has a wealth of knowledge about human resources issues, and a depth of experience in successfully leading HR strategy in large functional areas within AEP," Radous said. "Having literally risen from within the ranks during her 35 years with the company, her broad knowledge of AEP and her human resources expertise will enable us to continue developing and delivering employee-focused policies, practices and programs."

Elich replaces Gen Tuchow, who is retiring from the company to pursue other professional opportunities.

"AEP has benefited a great deal from Gen's leadership of our human resources organization since she joined the company in 2005," Radous said. "Gen skillfully guided a department that provides many vital services to our employees, and I know she will have success as she begins a new chapter in her life."

Since April, Elich has served as managing director – corporate and field human resources. Prior to that, she was director – labor relations and human resources from 2009 to 2011, and director – HR strategy and planning from 2005 to 2009. She was HR director – generation from 2003 to 2005, and HR director – regulated generation, from 2002 to 2003. She has also served as HR region director, serving employees in Virginia , West Virginia , Tennessee and Kentucky .

Elich joined AEP in 1976 and held various administrative support positions at Cardinal Plant before being promoted to an HR associate at Conesville Plant in 1994. She also served as HR assistant and HR coordinator before being named HR manager at Muskingum River Plant in 1997. She was named business support team leader/manager at Muskingum River in 2000.

Elich earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the Franciscan University of Steubenville in 1992. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan 's Ross School of Business Human Resource Executive Program, The Ohio State University College of Business AEP Management Development Program, and the Virginia Tech /AEP Leadership in Changing Times Program.

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.

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