SHREVEPORT, La., June 9, 2008 – Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), a unit of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), has named Paul Franklin vice president for Generating Assets. The announcement reflects SWEPCO’s efforts to better align power generation with its operating company customers and regulators.

A 33-year employee, Franklin joined the AEP system in 1975 and served in various roles at SWEPCO power plants before being named manager of plant support in 1994 and most recently served as SWEPCO region director since 1999.

A native of Delhi, Louisiana, Franklin earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering technology from Louisiana Tech University in 1975, and a master of business administration degree from Centenary College in Shreveport, La. in 2000.  Franklin and his wife Melba are members of Mobberly Baptist Church in Longview, Texas.

SWEPCO serves about 467,000 customers in northwestern Louisiana, western Arkansas and east and north Texas. News releases and other information about SWEPCO can be found at www.SWEPCO.com.