PCDA'S VICE PRESIDENT JOHN SMOLAK TAKES REINS OF SEDC

October 20, 2000 - Incoming SEDC President John Smolak presents a plaque to outgoing President Tom Seth Smith during ceremonies Tuesday (photo, left). Transfer of the Presidential duties took place during the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) Annual Conference, held this year - for the first time - in West Virginia. Charleston was the host community for this year's conference. This year's conference marked the 55th conference of the organization. The theme of this year's conference was "Leadership in a New Economy."

John will serve as president of the organization until next year's annual conference that will be held in Kansas City, MO. The SEDC organization includes representatives from 17 states. John also served at the SEDC 2000 Local Conference Chair for this year's SEDC conference. More about SEDC can be found on their web site at: http://www.sedc.org.

John also serves as Vice President of the Putnam County Development Authority. He is currently Manager, Economic Development for American Electric Power (AEP). He joined AEP in 1988 and began at AEP’s corporate headquarters in Columbus, Ohio and AEP’s Wheeling Power Company in Wheeling, WV. John was assigned to AEP in West Virginia in 1993. He also served as a loaned executive to manage the West Virginia Development Office from November 1994 until April 1995. His background included 14 years with the West Virginia Development Office serving in several positions in the economic and community development areas.

For further information, please contact Gary Walton, CED, Executive Director, PCDA, (304)757-0318