F EATURED S TORIES

Almost 600 miles separates Roanoke, Va., from Fort Wayne, Ind., but for female employees of American Electric Power that volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, the two communities might as well have been next door.

AEP employees, including many Pride Employee Resource Group (ERG) members in Columbus, Charleston and Tulsa participated in Pride events this month, including parades, festivals, runs and other community activities.

AEP showed support for diversity and inclusion by entering a team in this year’s Dragon Boat race, a highlight of Columbus’ Asian Festival. The festival draws 100,000 visitors on Memorial Day weekend every year. The non-profit festival  promotes cultural diversity through cultural exhibits, community services such as free health screenings, and educational activities on healthy lifestyles, martial arts and other family-friendly attractions for the community.

Kentucky Power contributed $5,000, numerous volunteers and mounds of food to Power Up the Pantry, a daylong community effort to replenish depleted area food pantries.

How are emerging technologies changing the way consumers use energy? How is innovation changing the way leaders make policy? 

It was a cold and stormy night April 13, in Lawton, Oklahoma, which is southwest of Oklahoma City. Brian Gibbs, a Transmission line supervisor, was driving in heavy rain on Interstate 44 on his way to inspect a line issue near Comanche Power Station, when he spied an upside-down car in a ditch down below the road.

When buying a car, there are countless variables to consider. Sedan or SUV? Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive? And now, gasoline or electric? AEP Ohio is simplifying buying a new car with an online tool to help car buyers compare the total cost of owning and operating an electric vehicle (EV) with that of a traditional gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicle.  

Social media can keep you in touch with loved ones and help you stay up to date on the news, and now it can even get you answers about your electric service. American Electric Power is making customer service more accessible thanks to a team of professionals dedicated to addressing customers’ needs through social media.

As a little girl growing up in Houston, Texas, Kimberly Hughes’ mom urged her to “learn how to carry yourself and be a strong leader.” Heeding her mother’s advice, Kimberly joined the Girl Scouts, which marks its 107^th anniversary as Women’s History Month wraps up.

An army of employee volunteers garnered recognition and praise for AEP, winner of the 2019 Medical Mutual Pillar Award for Community Service.

The honor recognizes AEP’s strong presence in the central Ohio community, both in terms of volunteers and financial contributions.  The company was nominated by LifeCare Alliance, which provides a wide range of health and nutrition services to older adults and medically challenged residents. Serving as LifeCare Alliance volunteers, AEP employees have delivered more than 100,000 meals to homebound seniors over the last 15 years.