Tim Wells – Manager of Economic and Business Development, is responsible for representing the company on economic development issues throughout the state of Ohio.

Wells joined AEP in 1990 as an economic development consultant with Wheeling Power. He was later promoted to community relations supervisor, then moved to Indiana Michigan Power in 1994 to take on the role of senior economic development specialist. Tim returned home to Ohio in 2000 and has served in his current role since 2012.

Wells earned his bachelor of arts degree, magna cum laude, from Ohio Wesleyan University. He also earned a master of arts degree from Miami (Ohio) University and a master of business administration from the University of Notre Dame. Wells received the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) distinction from the International Economic Development Council in 1997. He currently serves on the Regional Growth Partnership (NW Ohio) Board of Directors, the JobsOhio Site Redevelopment Pilot Program Review Committee for the Columbus Region, and has served on the boards of several state, regional, and local economic development organizations, including Indiana Economic Development Association.

Liberty Schindel – Economic Development Analyst, Senior, is an alumna of the University of Dayton and holds a Master of Public Administration from the Cleveland State University Levin College of Urban Affairs. Liberty is a graduate of the prestigious Jo Ann Davidson Ohio Leadership Institute and has taken advanced coursework from the International Economic Development Council and the National Development Council.

Prior to joining AEP, Liberty was the Economic Development Director for the City of Pickerington, Ohio. She led the successful negotiation of Pickerington’s first Job Retention and Creation Grant which retained one of the City’s largest employers. Liberty also worked for the City of Independence, Ohio as the Economic Development Specialist. In this role, she spearheaded the City’s first business retention and expansion program, engaging nearly 1,000 businesses annually. Liberty also assisted with the creation of the City’s first economic development strategic plan.  Before joining Independence, Liberty was the District Outreach Representative for U.S. Congressman Steven C. LaTourette. She represented the Congressman throughout district by interfacing with business and political leaders and government organizations.

E. Ray Covey – State Manager of Economic and Business Development, has over 34 years of experience in the electric utility business and is responsible for economic and business development activities for AEP Texas, a unit of American Electric Power.

Prior to leading the economic development organization, Covey held various management positions in the marketing and external affairs organizations at Central and Southwest Corporation. He is an IAMC Fellow and past chair of the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) National Accounts Program, past board chair of the Texas Economic Development Council, and he currently serves on the board of Team Texas.

Covey earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanized Agriculture from Texas A&M University, a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Development from The University of Texas Tyler and has completed coursework for a Master of Science in Management from Texas A&M Commerce. He has completed management programs at Texas A&M, Baylor, and Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business and is a member of the Society of Human Resource Professionals and the Epsilon Pi Tau and Alpha Xi scholastic honor societies.

Covey serves on the Team Texas Board and is a member of the International Economic Development Council, Texas Economic Development Council, Southern Economic Development Council, Utility Economic Development Association, and the Industrial Asset Management Council.

Bradley Lenz – Director, Economic and Business Development, oversees the company’s business development operations around oil and gas operations. This activity extends throughout the AEP Texas service territory.

Previously he was the operations support manager – Electric Distribution System of AEP Texas. His responsibilities included resource planning, managing the electric distribution budget, managing the back-office functions and the annual storm restoration drill to prepare for hurricanes and other major natural disasters. Prior to operations support, Lenz held several management positions with AEP Texas and the former West Texas Utilities Company. Lenz began his career in 1991 with West Texas Utilities in Abilene as an engineer in Marketing, focusing on commercial customers. Prior to that, Lenz was a cooperative student with TXU Electric.

Lenz earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Texas A&M University in College Station, Tx. and has completed the Ohio State University Leadership Development program.

John Longoria – Manager of Economic Development & Oil and Gas, is a graduate of Texas A&M University in College Station, Tx. and earned an MBA from Our Lady of the Lake in San Antonio, Tx.

John spent 8 years with the Lower Colorado River Authority in various capacities and also served as a principal for John Longoria and Associates, performing business development services for private clients and working with municipalities to develop public projects and public policy.

John has a lengthy history of serving the community. He is currently a Corpus Christi Independent School District Trustee and a commissioner for the Corpus Christi Housing Authority. He has served as a trustee for the Del Mar College Foundation, a commissioner for the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority and served as a Corpus Christi City Councilman from 1995-2003.

John Smolak – Director of Economic and Business Development, has a long standing career in the economic development area, spending the last 38 years in various capacities in both the private and public sector.

Smolak was the president and CEO of the Franklin Southampton Economic Development, Inc. from 2005 to 2012, which is a public – private partnership representing the city of Franklin, the county of Southampton and the private sector. Previously he was employed by American Electric Power for 18 years, most recently as manager of Economic Development for AEP’s Kentucky and West Virginia service areas and also held key economic development marketing positions at AEP’s corporate headquarters located in Columbus, Oh. He also held several management and leadership positions with the West Virginia Development Office for the State of West Virginia spanning a twelve year period and three separate governors.

Throughout his career he has been actively involved in numerous local, state and regional community and economic development boards and commissions. Smolak was chairman of the Southern Economic Development Council, a 17 state regional development association, from 2000 to 2001 and served on the SEDC executive board of directors for 6 years. John is a graduate of Kent State University and of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma.

Ashley Savieo – Economic & Business Development Manager, is a graduate of Purdue University and holds a graduate certificate from Indiana-Purdue University Fort Wayne School of Public & Environmental Affairs. In 2011, she obtained the Certified Economic Developer accreditation from the International Economic Development Council.

Prior to joining I&M, Ashley worked for 10 years in economic development for Allen County, Indiana government and Greater Fort Wayne, Inc., the lead economic development and business group for Fort Wayne. At Greater Fort Wayne, Inc. she spearheaded initiatives such as a branded business retention and expansion program, the development of critical infrastructure for shovel ready sites, public-private partnerships for spec building development and the cultivation of relationships with real estate and consulting professionals. Ashley has managed negotiations and projects with companies such as General Mills, BAE Systems and General Motors.

Most recently, Ashley spent time at VOSS Automotive, a Germany-based Tier I automotive supplier, where she developed marketing and communication strategies for its North American market.

Ashley is an active member of the community volunteering for organizations such as the Junior League of Fort Wayne, Three Rivers Festival Board of Directors, and the Art in the Park arts festival.

Shelley Klug, Economic and Business Development Manager, has been actively engaged in economic development activities in southwest Michigan for over 15 years.

Prior to joining Cornerstone Alliance as their Business Development Manager in Berrien County, Klug served as the Business Development Manager in a seven-county region for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. She has worked with companies throughout southwest Michigan serving as the liaison for businesses, communities, and local partners to connect them with valuable services and resources available through multiple state agencies.

Klug was also the Executive Director for the Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance developing programs for business retention and expansion, business attraction, and new marketing strategies. As director, she was also responsible for the management of the Berrien County Manufacturers Council and the Bertrand Crossing Industrial Park Association. Her interest and training in economic development began as an associate planner for the regional planning agency in the tri-county region of southwest Michigan where she recognized the strong connections between municipal planning and economic development strategic planning.

Through her roles and interest in community and economic development planning, she has served on the boards of directors for local chambers of commerce, volunteered for many festival organizations, and a wide variety of community groups.

Klug has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Community Services and is a Certified Economic Developer and Economic Development Finance Professional.

Janet Smith – Manager of Economic & Business Development, has more than 20 years experience in economic development.

She began her career at the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission where she provided training to community leaders and worked with the Community Development Block Grant, Main Street, and Enterprise Zone programs. She joined Southwestern Electric Power in Shreveport, La., PSO’s sister utility, to establish a community development program and later became director of economic development. Smith’s work and the success of the communities were highlighted in Nation’s Business. She moved to Tulsa in 1996, to lead the company’s community and economic development program to recruit new industry and expand existing business for the four states service area.

Smith is a graduate of Arkansas State University with a bachelor of science degree in public relations/journalism. She is a Certified Professional Community Economic Developer and a graduate of the Economic Development Institute and Community Development Institute. She is active in many state and regional organizations including the Governor’s Economic Development Team, Oklahoma Economic Development Council, appointed to the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Economic Development, Tulsa Area Partnership, Oklahoma Southeast, Workforce Tulsa and the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance. Smith is also a member of the International Economic Development Council, Southern Economic Development Council and the Utility Economic Development Association.

Eric Basinger – Manager of Economic & Business Development, is responsible for economic and business development activities across Southwestern Electric Power Company’s (SWEPCo) three-state service area of northwest Louisiana, western Arkansas, and east and north Texas.

Prior to joining SWEPCo, Basinger served as the Executive Director of county and city economic development organizations in Evergreen, Ozark, and Wetumpka, Alabama, and in Bradenton, Florida. Most recently, he was the Director of Economic Development for the City of Anniston, Alabama. Throughout his career he has served on state, regional, and local economic development boards and committees including the Economic Development Association of Alabama and the Tampa Bay Partnership.

Basinger has worked on numerous domestic and foreign direct investments from Asia, Canada, Europe, and Latin America. The industrial sectors with which he has experience include automotive, aerospace, electronics, food processing, medical device, metals, plastics, and wood products. Additionally, Basinger has experience in assisting logistically sensitive businesses with maritime and port-related activities and fixed-wing and rotary airport developments.

Basinger earned his Bachelor of Science degree in history from the University of West Alabama, and a Master of Public Administration degree from Auburn University.  In 2009 he received his Certified Economic Developer certification from the International Economic Development Council and prior to that completed the Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute.

Bud Clark – National Account Executive, is the primary point of contact at the corporate level for some of the largest commercial and industrial customers across AEP’s 11-state service territory. In addition to providing customer service, Clark also serves as AEP’s corporate contact to these customers in the areas of economic and business development.

Prior to moving into his current position in 2002, Clark’s career spanned for over 19 years with Southwestern Electric Power Company, a unit of American Electric Power, and AEP/CSW Service Corporation, where he served in various customer service, marketing, program development, and technical support roles in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.

Clark holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Louisiana Tech University.

Marc Ayle – Manager, Targeted Marketing, Economic & Business Development, has experience at AEP that includes Customer Services and Utility Business Development.

Previously, Ayle spent 15 years with Columbia Gas of Ohio as Marketing and National Accounts Manager.  He has wide experience in various energy management disciplines, including commercial and industrial sales, natural gas vehicles, municipal and rural cooperative service offerings, and shale gas business development.

Ayle is a graduate of The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Education.

Bradley Lenz – Director, Economic and Business Development, oversees the company’s business development operations around oil and gas operations. This activity extends throughout the AEP Texas service territory.

Previously he was the operations support manager – Electric Distribution System of AEP Texas. His responsibilities included resource planning, managing the electric distribution budget, managing the back-office functions and the annual storm restoration drill to prepare for hurricanes and other major natural disasters. Prior to operations support, Lenz held several management positions with AEP Texas and the former West Texas Utilities Company. Lenz began his career in 1991 with West Texas Utilities in Abilene as an engineer in Marketing, focusing on commercial customers. Prior to that, Lenz was a cooperative student with TXU Electric.

Lenz earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Texas A&M University in College Station, Tx. and has completed the Ohio State University Leadership Development program.

John Longoria – Manager of Economic Development & Oil and Gas, is a graduate of Texas A&M University in College Station, Tx. and earned an MBA from Our Lady of the Lake in San Antonio, Tx.

John spent 8 years with the Lower Colorado River Authority in various capacities and also served as a principal for John Longoria and Associates, performing business development services for private clients and working with municipalities to develop public projects and public policy.

John has a lengthy history of serving the community. He is currently a Corpus Christi Independent School District Trustee and a commissioner for the Corpus Christi Housing Authority. He has served as a trustee for the Del Mar College Foundation, a commissioner for the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority and served as a Corpus Christi City Councilman from 1995-2003.

Scott Kuehn – International Targeted Marketing Manager, Economic & Business Development, is the key contact for existing and potential foreign-owned business customers who are interested in the competitive advantages of expanding or locating their business within AEP’s 11-state service territory.

Kuehn joined the economic development team at AEP in 2014. Kuehn has more than 15 years of international business experience in both the public and private sectors, including seven years working for the State of Ohio as the Director of Global Markets at the former Ohio Department of Development. He previously lived and worked in Japan for seven years and is fluent in the language.

Kuehn is a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) accredited by the National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE). He holds a Master of Arts degree in Economics from Kyoto University in Japan and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Marc Ayle – Manager, Targeted Marketing, Economic & Business Development, has experience at AEP that includes Customer Services and Utility Business Development.

Previously, Ayle spent 15 years with Columbia Gas of Ohio as Marketing and National Accounts Manager.  He has wide experience in various energy management disciplines, including commercial and industrial sales, natural gas vehicles, municipal and rural cooperative service offerings, and shale gas business development.

Ayle is a graduate of The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Education.

Darren Kelsey – Targeted Marketing & National Accounts Manager, is the primary point of contact at the corporate level for many Commercial Customers across AEP’s 11 state service territory. In addition to also serving as AEP’s corporate contact to his customers in the areas of Economic and Business Development, Kelsey also focuses his efforts in the area of marketing our E&BD services to prospective customers.

Kelsey’s career began in 1997 with Public Service Company of Oklahoma, where he served in various marketing and customer service roles.  Kelsey joined the National Accounts group in 2006 and has taken on the work of targeted marketing in the first quarter of 2012.
Kelsey holds Bachelor of Science degrees(s) in Marketing & Accounting from Oklahoma State University.  Kelsey is also a Certified Energy Manager and has held this AEE title since 2000.

Scott Kuehn – International Targeted Marketing Manager, Economic & Business Development, is the key contact for existing and potential foreign-owned business customers who are interested in the competitive advantages of expanding or locating their business within AEP’s 11-state service territory.

Kuehn joined the economic development team at AEP in 2014. Kuehn has more than 15 years of international business experience in both the public and private sectors, including seven years working for the State of Ohio as the Director of Global Markets at the former Ohio Department of Development. He previously lived and worked in Japan for seven years and is fluent in the language.

Kuehn is a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) accredited by the National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE). He holds a Master of Arts degree in Economics from Kyoto University in Japan and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Emily Tucker – International Targeted Marketing Manager, Economic & Business Development, is the key contact for existing and potential foreign-owned business customers who are interested in the competitive advantages of expanding or locating their business within AEP’s 11-state service territory.

Tucker joined the economic development team at AEP in February 2017. For the past seven years, she worked in international trade development at the state level for both Michigan and Ohio. She most recently served as Director of International Trade with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Prior to that, she was a Legislative Service Commission Fellow and Legislative Aide in the Ohio House of Representatives where she served as clerk for the Public Utilities Committee.

Tucker is a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) accredited by the National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE). She holds a Juris Doctor degree from Capital University Law School, as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and international relations, both from the Ohio State University.

Barry Mosser – National Account Executive, is the primary point of contact at the corporate level for some of the largest commercial customers across AEP’s 11-state service territory. In addition to providing customer service, Mosser also serves as AEP’s corporate contact to these customers in the areas of economic and business development.

Prior to moving in to his current position in 1997, Mosser’s career spanned for over 13 years with Appalachian Power, a unit of American Electric Power, where he served in various business and customer service roles in its West Virginia and Virginia jurisdictions.

Mosser holds a bachelor of business administration degree in marketing from Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va.

Scott Mann – National Account Executive, is the primary point of contact at the corporate level for some of the largest commercial and industrial customers across AEP’s 11-state service territory. In addition to providing customer service, Mann also serves as AEP’s corporate contact to these customers in the areas of economic and business development.

Prior to moving in to his current position in 2008, Mann’s career spanned for over 23 years with Appalachian Power, a unit of American Electric Power, where he served in various engineering and customer service roles in their West Virginia and Virginia jurisdictions.

Mann holds a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from West Virginia Institute of Technology and a master of science degree in engineering management from West Virginia College of Graduate Studies.

Bud Clark – National Account Executive, is the primary point of contact at the corporate level for some of the largest commercial and industrial customers across AEP’s 11-state service territory. In addition to providing customer service, Clark also serves as AEP’s corporate contact to these customers in the areas of economic and business development.

Prior to moving into his current position in 2002, Clark’s career spanned for over 19 years with Southwestern Electric Power Company, a unit of American Electric Power, and AEP/CSW Service Corporation, where he served in various customer service, marketing, program development, and technical support roles in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.

Clark holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Louisiana Tech University.

Darren Kelsey – Targeted Marketing & National Accounts Manager, is the primary point of contact at the corporate level for many Commercial Customers across AEP’s 11 state service territory. In addition to also serving as AEP’s corporate contact to his customers in the areas of Economic and Business Development, Kelsey also focuses his efforts in the area of marketing our E&BD services to prospective customers.

Kelsey’s career began in 1997 with Public Service Company of Oklahoma, where he served in various marketing and customer service roles.  Kelsey joined the National Accounts group in 2006 and has taken on the work of targeted marketing in the first quarter of 2012.
Kelsey holds Bachelor of Science degrees(s) in Marketing & Accounting from Oklahoma State University.  Kelsey is also a Certified Energy Manager and has held this AEE title since 2000.

Howard Biddle –  National Account Executive, is the primary point of contact at the corporate level for AEP’s Federal Government and U.S. Military customers across AEP’s 11-state service territory. In addition to providing customer service and client management, Howard also focuses his efforts in the area of marketing our economic and business development services to prospective Government customers and agencies.

Prior to assuming his current position, Howard’s career spanned over 20 years as a U.S. Army Military Intelligence Officer retiring in 1999 and a Government contractor for the past 18 years.

Howard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and an MBA from the University of Maryland.

Mark James – Vice President of Economic & Business Development, is responsible for the strategic expansion of AEP’s Economic and Business Development program, identifying and pursuing opportunities to increase jobs and retail customer load across AEP’s 11-state service territory.

From 2002 to 2011, James served as founder, president and chief executive officer of ED Solutions, Inc., a consulting firm providing economic development tools, training and project management services to the economic development profession. James served as director – Economic Development for AEP from 1992 to 2002. Prior to that, from 1985 to 1992, he was an economic development consultant for AEP in West Virginia. Previously, James was director of community development for the community of Bethel Park, Pa., and regional planner for the Bel-O-Mar Regional Council in Wheeling, W.Va.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in geography and environmental science from Edinboro State University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in economic geography from Oregon State University. James is a graduate of the University of Michigan’s Ross Graduate School of Business Executive Management Program and is a certified economic developer (CEcD).

James is actively engaged in the economic profession locally and nationally. He is a member of the International Economic Development Council, the Utility Economic Development Association and is on the Advisory Council of CIBER program at the Fisher School of Business at The Ohio State University. He is Chairman of the Board of the Appalachian Partners for Economic Growth and is a member of the boards of the Columbus Chamber, Junior Achievement of Central Ohio, Ohio Statewide Development Corporation, and Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute.

Scott Kuehn – International Targeted Marketing Manager, Economic & Business Development, is the key contact for existing and potential foreign-owned business customers who are interested in the competitive advantages of expanding or locating their business within AEP’s 11-state service territory.

Kuehn joined the economic development team at AEP in 2014. Kuehn has more than 15 years of international business experience in both the public and private sectors, including seven years working for the State of Ohio as the Director of Global Markets at the former Ohio Department of Development. He previously lived and worked in Japan for seven years and is fluent in the language.

Kuehn is a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) accredited by the National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE). He holds a Master of Arts degree in Economics from Kyoto University in Japan and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Emily Tucker – International Targeted Marketing Manager, Economic & Business Development, is the key contact for existing and potential foreign-owned business customers who are interested in the competitive advantages of expanding or locating their business within AEP’s 11-state service territory.

Tucker joined the economic development team at AEP in February 2017. For the past seven years, she worked in international trade development at the state level for both Michigan and Ohio. She most recently served as Director of International Trade with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Prior to that, she was a Legislative Service Commission Fellow and Legislative Aide in the Ohio House of Representatives where she served as clerk for the Public Utilities Committee.

Tucker is a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) accredited by the National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE). She holds a Juris Doctor degree from Capital University Law School, as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and international relations, both from the Ohio State University.

Amy Koscielak – Principal, develops and directs strategies to position AEP as a leading provider of location advisory services for corporate relocation and expansion. She leads the research team on analysis of industries, markets and companies to drive economic success in AEP’s service territory, and manages initiatives that translate data and research into effective multi-channel marketing and lead generation programs. She is also responsible for managing initiatives that help AEP communities prepare for growth.

Koscielak joined AEP in 2008 as marketing research consultant – Consumer Technologies and Programs. Prior to joining AEP, she held consulting and management positions in sales, marketing and market research at several technology companies including Sterling Commerce, Bloomberg BNA and Diebold.

She earned a bachelor of science degree, magna cum laude, in international business from Otterbein University in Columbus, Ohio. She is a member of the American Marketing Association, the Council for Community and Economic Research and the 2015 Class of Leadership Columbus.

Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amykoscielak

Cynthia Hoover – Analyst, Economic & Business Development, is responsible for administering and maintaining various economic development software and application tools utilized by the AEP economic development staff, providing economic development field support, assisting with research requests, and providing training on a range of applications.

Hoover has been with AEP since 1986. She has held positions in marketing and customer services, supervision, and economic development throughout her career at AEP.

Hoover holds two bachelor of science degrees from Concord University in West Virginia – one in business education and another in business administration with a concentration in management.

Robb Watson – Analyst, Economic & Business Development, is responsible for research and analysis including utilizing geographic information systems (GIS). He is focused on leveraging technology and data to support and empower decision-making.

Watson joined AEP in 2014. Prior to joining AEP, he worked for 10 years in GIS and planning positions in state government with the Ohio Department of Transportation and Ohio Department of Natural Resources and in the private sector with DeJONG, Inc.

He holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in geography from Miami University, and a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from the Ohio State University. He is a Certified GIS Professional (GISP), and a member of the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA).

Audrey Cleaver – Analyst, Economic & Business Development, is responsible for helping maintain various databases, assisting with research requests and analysis including utilizing geographic information systems (GIS).

Cleaver joined AEP in 2018. Prior to joining AEP, she did GIS work at the Ohio University Planning office in Athens, Ohio. She has also held positions doing planning and architecture.

She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Urban Planning and Sustainability and a Bachelor’s of Arts in history, as well as a certificate in GIS, from Ohio University.

Becky Williams – Senior Administrative Associate, has been with AEP since 1990.  Becky has held administrative/coordinator positions with AEP, first in the Marketing Department, AEP Resources, Customer Operations and Energy Efficiency.

Prior to AEP, Becky worked for International Business Machines (IBM) for 11 years.