COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 25, 2000 –Jeff Tolnar has been appointed vice president – broadband initiatives for AEP Communications Inc., a wholly-owned non-regulated subsidiary of American Electric Power (NYSE:AEP), according to Donald M. Clements, executive vice president – corporate development for AEP and president - AEP Communications.

Tolnar will be responsible for determining AEP’s position in the broadband communications market, identifying potential business partners, developing broadband strategies and directing the implementation of those strategies, Clements said.

“Jeff brings a very diverse communications background to AEP and has extensive management experience and functional expertise in engineering, operations, sales, service and product development,” Clements said.

Tolnar, 37, has spent much of the last 10 years in data communications and broadband networking. He comes to AEP after more than 14 years at Sprint Broadband Local Networks. His most recent responsibilities included national planning, engineering and deployment of Sprint’s broadband infrastructure.

The Hubbard, Ohio, native graduated from Youngstown State University in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering technology. He received a master’s in business administration in 1996 from Baker University in Kansas City.

American Electric Power is a multinational energy company based in Columbus, Ohio. AEP is one of the United States´ largest generators of electricity with more than 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity. AEP is also one of the nation´s leading wholesale energy marketers and traders. AEP delivers electricity to more than 4.8 million customers in 11 states -- Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. The company serves more than 4 million customers outside the U.S. through holdings in Australia, Brazil, China, Mexico and the United Kingdom. Wholly owned subsidiaries are involved in power engineering and construction services, energy management and telecommunications.