Foundation for Appalachian Ohio Executive Finds Perfect Balance Between Business and Personal Success in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- For Cara Dingus Brook, achieving the State of Perfect Balance is a fulltime pursuit. As president and chief executive officer of the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, Brook is dedicated to her personal and professional mission of enhancing quality of life for those living in Appalachian Ohio by creating educational opportunities through community investment.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071107/CLW113LOGO )

According to Brook, Ohio's location has been the key to her success. Brook is the latest business leader featured in the "State of Perfect Balance" Wall Street Journal ad campaign. The Ohio Business Development Coalition, the nonprofit organization that markets the state for capital investment, and AEP Ohio sponsor the ongoing ad campaign.

"In Ohio, my personal and professional goals come together in perfect balance. With the support of this community's caring spirit, we're helping students fulfill their aspirations," said Brook. "Together, we're making a positive impact on education that will last for generations."

Companies like AEP Ohio are helping Brook's foundation achieve its mission. The preferred energy partner for thousands of Ohio businesses not only shares a stake in the vitality of the state's economy by providing affordable and reliable electricity, it also shares a stake in the vitality of Ohio's education system through support of causes like the 2009 ICAN! Child of Appalachia writing contest.

"Ohio is one of the nation's strongest philanthropic states," Brook says. "I see it at every level, from government leaders to community members. We really are a place where people come together to create a better life."

On the personal side, Brook says achieving balance means bringing people, passion and purpose together to strengthen her overall experience in Ohio.

"For me, it's a position of harmony. It's really the ability to get elements in your life that matter to you aligned and working together in a way that they add value. The people, the passions, the things you want to live out and experience. And that's balance. I feel very strongly that I've found that in my community here," said Brook.

"Top-level executives who have a true work-life balance will perform better at their jobs and the company will only achieve greater success," said Ed Burghard, executive director of the Ohio Business Development Coalition. "What's also appealing is the lack of congestion that Ohio offers, which allows executives and their employees the ability to enjoy professional success without having to sacrifice personal aspirations. Ohio provides people the opportunity for a life in perfect balance."

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) was created in 1998 as a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. As a 501(c)(3) public charity, the Foundation works with donors and those who care deeply about the region to support regional improvement through the power of charitable giving.

The campaign can be viewed at http://ohiomeansbusiness.com/life-in-ohio/success-stories/ad-campaigns/index.php.

About the Ohio Business Development Coalition

The Ohio Business Development Coalition is a nonprofit organization that markets the state for capital investment. The OBDC provides marketing strategy and implementation to support Ohio's economic development efforts. For more information on business development or business relocation, visit www.ohiomeansbusiness.com or the OBDC blog at http://blog.ohiomeansbusiness.com.

For more information about American Electric Power, visit www.aep.com.

SOURCE Ohio Business Development Coalition