Eric Basinger has been named manager of economic and business development for AEP Southwestern Electric Power Co.
He will be responsible for economic development activities across SWEPCO's three-state service area of Northwest Louisiana, Western Arkansas, and East and North Texas.
"He's going to be coordinating economic development of the SWEPCO service area," said Scott McCloud, SWEPCO corporate communications.
Basinger has more than 16 years of economic development experience and has served as economic development director in locations such as Evergreen, Wetumpka and Ozark, Ala., as well as Bradenton, Fla.
"With SWEPCO, he will be meeting with community leaders and coordinating economic development for the area," McCloud said. "He'll also meet with prospective business clients who are contemplating moving into the area, letting them know what the communities, and SWEPCO, have to offer."
A native of Fultondale, Ala., Basinger earned a Bachelor of Science in history from the University of West Alabama. He also earned a master's degree in public administration from Auburn University. He received his Certified Economic Developer certification from the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma.
Basinger has been active in the Economic Development Association of Alabama, serving on the board of directors as commercial committee chair. He is married to the former Amy Haskew of Clairborne, Ala.