ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, December 15, 1995              TAG: 9512150070
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: A-15 EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MEGAN SCHNABEL STAFF WRITER 

STATE TO LOSE DEVELOPMENT OFFICIAL TO AEP

American Electric Power, parent of Roanoke-based Appalachian Power Co., has named a member of the Governor's Department of Economic Development as economic development manager for its Virginia and Tennessee region.

E. Wilson Davis Jr., who has worked in the state agency since 1988 - currently as director of international marketing - will join AEP in January.

The announcement was made Thursday by Apco Vice President R. Daniel Carson Jr., who Jan. 1 will become president of AEP-Virginia and Tennessee as part of the utility-holding company's restructuring. AEP in January will absorb most of the functions of its member utilities, including Apco.

"Will Davis brings to AEP and to its Virginia and Tennessee service areas extensive and valuable experience in economic development, with involvement in strategy development and implementation and in domestic and international marketing," Carson said.

Because the economic health of a utility's service area directly affects the company's own success, AEP and its members work closely with local communities to attract new employers, said spokesman Don Johnson.

"Traditionally, the power company has been very involved in economic development in its service areas," Johnson said. Davis will expand upon the work that in the past has been done by economic development consultants, he said.

LENGTH: Short :   34 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  (headshot) Davis.