AEP Joins Army PaYS Program To Provide Private Sector Job Opportunities For Veterans

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) has joined the U.S. Army Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS), a program designed to accelerate the transition of veterans to careers in the private sector. AEP announced its participation in the program during a signing ceremony today attended by employees; AEP Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Nicholas K. Akins; Columbus Recruiting Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Clydellia S. Prichard-Allen; U.S. Reps. Steve Stivers and Joyce Beatty; and Ohio Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor.

Through the PaYS program, active and reserve service men and women in the Army and Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) are matched with civilian job opportunities that require the skills acquired during their military service. Soldiers who qualify with a skills match are guaranteed an interview for the job by participating companies.

"Nearly 11 percent of our 17,600 employees are military veterans. Their service to our country equips them with the skills to be great employees who are self-motivated, battle-tested and safety conscious. We value the sacrifices that veterans make to serve our country, and one of the best ways we can honor them is by helping them transition to rewarding careers in the energy industry," Akins said.

To support the 1,873 military veterans who already work at AEP, the company sponsors an employee resource group that provides networking, development and support for military veterans. AEP also provides paid leave for employees in the Reserves or National Guard who are ordered to active duty in emergency situations.

AEP was one of six energy companies to develop the Troops to Energy Jobs initiative to provide veterans with a career roadmap for jobs in the energy industry. The company also is a member of the Veteran Jobs Mission, a coalition of more than 230 companies committed to hiring military veterans.

American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity and custom energy solutions to nearly 5.4 million customers in 11 states. AEP owns the nation's largest electricity transmission system, a more than 40,000-mile network that includes more 765-kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP also operates 224,000 miles of distribution lines. AEP ranks among the nation's largest generators of electricity, owning approximately 31,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also supplies 3,200 megawatts of renewable energy to customers. 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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SOURCE American Electric Power