Business & Finance

Appalachian Power promotes Jones to manage hydroelectric facilities

Bradley R. Jones is now manager of hydro operations for Appalachian Power, replacing Frank M. Simms, who retired July 31.
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Appalachian Power promotes Jones to manage hydroelectric facilities

Bradley R. Jones is now manager of hydro operations for Appalachian Power, replacing Frank M. Simms, who retired July 31.

In this new position, Jones will oversee Appalachian Power’s hydroelectric projects in Virginia and West Virginia, as well as other hydro generation throughout the American Electric Power system (Appalachian Power is a unit of AEP). Jones formerly was manager of the coal-fired Glen Lyn Power Plant since 2003 and will continue to oversee its retirement. Glen Lyn officially ceased generation May 31 as part of the company’s compliance with federal environmental requirements.

Jones began working at the Glen Lyn plant in 1994 and before that spent 15 years at Indiana Michigan Power’s Breed Power Plant.

“Frank Simms was a key part of our generation group and successfully led our hydro organization through major issues, including the recently completed relicensing for all of the AEP hydro plants and introduction of the shoreline management plan at the Smith Mountain project,” said Jeff LaFleur, vice president of generation assets at Appalachian Power. “The opportunity to move Brad into this position will be very positive. The job will draw on Brad’s experience in the company’s generation organization, his knowledge of regulatory issues, and his community outreach.”

In addition, Neil Holthouser, director of planning and community development, has been named to lead Appalachian Power’s shoreline management team at the 586-MW Smith Mountain project. He will begin this job in late August. Holthouser has 15 years of experience in the field of urban planning, with a specialization in comprehensive planning, community development and design review.

Appalachian Power has 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee. The company owns 10 hydro plants with a total capacity of 799.5 MW.