American Electric Power has named Amanda Riggs Conner vice president – FERC and RTO Strategy & Policy, effective Jan. 30. Conner will be responsible for ensuring AEP's generation and grid development businesses are represented in policy matters at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and Regional Transmission Organizations (RTO). She will report to Antonio Smyth, senior vice president – Grid Solutions. Conner, 46, currently serves as managing director in AEP's Washington, D.C., office, focusing on FERC and federal legislative issues. She began working for AEP in 2012 as senior counsel in the Legal Department, representing the company in PJM transmission owner committees and handling transmission formula rate and market based rate issues before FERC. Prior to joining AEP, Conner held a counsel position at Orrick, where she represented renewable developers in project finance and related matters before FERC, including market-based rate applications, qualifying facility self-certifications, applications for approval of transactions involving jurisdictional facilities, and interconnection of renewable generation.