COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 30, 2000 – AEP Pro Serv, an engineering and construction management organization that is a subsidiary of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), has opened its first regional office -- AEP Pro Serv Northeast Region -- in Portland, Maine.

“Our work has quickly grown well beyond our Mid-American roots and location,” said John R. Jones, president of AEP Pro Serv. “As we focus on the full scope of projects that we can do, we see the need to expand our engineering and management services to several locations.”

AEP Pro Serv is a non-regulated subsidiary of AEP that provides a variety of professional services in industrial and power system engineering, construction, procurement, environmental protection, project management and operations and maintenance. AEP Pro Serv establishes a presence in the Northeastern U.S. through Industry and Energy Associates, LLC (IEA).

“We are very pleased to be able to make the jump into the Northeast through the highly-regarded engineering firm of IEA. Making IEA a part of AEP Pro Serv added great value to both groups,” Jones said.

Ken Rogers, a founder of IEA, has been named vice president and region manager responsible for operations and planning for the AEP Pro Serv Northeast Region.

“These are exciting times,” said Rogers. “We will continue to work with our current clients wherever the opportunity may arise anywhere in the world, and we will also be able to focus on the needs of local and regional clients. Our trademark hands-on approach will be fortified with the strength of a large, dynamic company.”

Over the past several months IEA and AEP Pro Serv have evaluated how to incorporate the services and capabilities of both organizations. The conclusion was to merge the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of IEA with the extensive energy experience of AEP Pro Serv, according to Jones.

“The objective is to create one diverse and dynamic organization that can serve all present and future clients’ industrial and energy needs competitively. Our goal through a regional headquarters is to enable AEP Pro Serv to provide clients with ‘one-stop’ service in IEA’s area,” Jones said.

Since its inception in 1997, IEA has evolved as a company, focusing on providing clients with innovative solutions to energy problems, while giving employees a new and creative environment in which to grow. This evolution took a new step in 1998 when IEA was acquired by CSW Energy, a subsidiary of Central and South West Corp. (CSW). During this period, IEA grew from two employees to more than 100 with involvement in various power projects, whose total electrical production exceeds 1,500 megawatts. AEP merged with CSW in June.

American Electric Power is a multinational energy company based in Columbus, Ohio. AEP owns and operates more than 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity, making it one of America’s largest generators of electricity. The company is also a leading wholesale energy marketer and trader, ranking second in the U.S. in electricity volume. AEP provides retail electricity to more than 9 million customers worldwide and has more than $35 billion in assets, primarily in the U.S. with holdings in select international markets. Wholly owned subsidiaries are involved in power engineering and construction services, energy and industry management and telecommunications.