COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 2, 2002 - Michael J. Assante has joined American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) as vice president and chief information security officer, a new position. He will be responsible for enterprise-wide security of AEP’s information systems and processes.

For the past several months, Assante served on the Electric Power Infrastructure Assessment Team at the National Infrastructure Protection Center in Washington, D.C., as a Naval Reserve officer.

Assante, 31, reports to Scott Smith, AEP senior vice president and chief risk officer.

“Michael brings valuable skills and experience to our growing risk management team,” said Smith. “He is a recognized expert in information security and infrastructure protection strategy and a leader in development of new security products for both government and business.”

Assante was a U.S. Navy officer from 1993 to 2000, serving in various intelligence and information warfare roles and achieving the rank of lieutenant. In 1997 he co-founded LogiKeep in Columbus and served as chief operations officer until Vigilinx Inc., a digital security company based in Parsippany, N.J., acquired the firm last year. Assante was vice president of the Knowledge Products Division at Vigilinx before his most recent assignment.

Assante earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He was named Naval Intelligence Officer of the Year in 1997 and was awarded a Navy Commendation Medal and two Navy Achievement Medals.

He has addressed issues involving cyber security at numerous management forums and government symposiums.

American Electric Power is a multinational energy company with a balanced portfolio of energy assets. AEP, the United States’ largest electricity generator, owns and operates more than 42,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. and select international markets. AEP is a leading wholesale energy marketer, ranking among North America’s top providers of wholesale power and natural gas with a growing wholesale presence in European markets. In addition to electricity generation, AEP owns and operates natural gas pipeline systems, natural gas storage, coal mines, and the fourth-largest inland barge company in the U.S. AEP is also one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, with almost 5 million customers linked to AEP’s wires. The company is based in Columbus, Ohio.