F EATURED S TORIES

Utility poles are a critical part of energy infrastructure, but what happens when they’ve seen better days? American Electric Power is helping give old utility poles a new lease on life, while also reducing its environmental footprint. 

Russell Pitts had every intention of retiring from Pirkey power plant.

"I grew up there. I had 20 years there,” said Pitts, who started as an electrician at the coal-fired plant in Texas and rose to instrument supervisor. “When they announced the plant would close in 2023, I figured I had a lot of years left.”

As Scott Smith and Don Wolford got off the bus at the World War II memorial, a woman walked by and thanked them for their service.

The army veterans were wearing “Honor Flight” polos, which made them easily recognizable as veterans. Honor Flight is a non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing American veterans from World War II through the Vietnam War with trips to Washington, D.C. to visit service and war memorials.

Birds of prey love Transmission substations. They’re places that don’t get a lot of foot traffic and they have lots of high places to perch. That’s why as a Transmission construction representative, Vic Fischer has learned to walk his construction sites every morning.

All roads at AEP lead to Sara Martinez Tucker. She’s the new lead director of AEP’s Board of Directors, a role that links together other board members, AEP’s executive leadership team and outside stakeholders.

For many Americans, it’s hard to imagine life without easy access to quick, reliable internet. But for some Appalachian Power customers, being disconnected from the internet – and the opportunity it brings – is their reality.

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) recently recognized AEP employees for their efforts to use electrification to advance sustainability across our communities.

Family is everything to AEP Engineering Associate Demetrius LaGrone. When asked about loved ones, his eyes speak first, lighting up when referencing his mother, fiancée or other family members who helped him get where he is today, even though he did take the road less traveled.

Tommy Schafer has been a lineman for so long that many of the safe behaviors he practices are practically second nature. For Schafer, prioritizing safety is just as important today as it was 42 years ago when he started at AEP Ohio  - and continuing to stress its importance may have recently saved a young girl from getting seriously injured.

AEP Texas Service Mechanics Juan Ledezma and Andy Garcia know that they have to ready for anything when answering service calls. And on one early morning last month, their training and instincts kicked in to help save one customer’s apartment, and the complex, from going up in flames.