James E. Abel has been named treasurer of Pennsylvania Power & Light Co., the company announced Thursday (7/25). The appointment is effective Aug. 1.

Abel is a 24-year veteran of the company's Accounting and Financial departments. Most recently, he served as manager-Corporate Audit Services.

Abel takes over as treasurer from John Biggar, vice president- Finance, who was performing the additional duties of treasurer while the company filled the vacancy created when its former treasurer, John Kierzkowski, was selected to head Spectrum Energy Services Corp. Spectrum is a sister company of PP&L which offers energy-related products and services.

Abel, a certified management accountant, earned both his bachelor's degree in accounting and his master of business administration degree from Lehigh University.

Since joining PP&L in 1972 as an accountant, he has held a number of positions in the Financial Department, including manager-Treasury from 1984 to March 1995, when he was appointed manager- Corporate Audit Services.

Abel also was named treasurer of PP&L Resources, Inc., the parent company of PP&L and Spectrum.

Replacing Abel as manager-Corporate Audit Services will be Martin F. Urban, a 13-year company veteran, who is advancing from team leader-Corporate Audit Services.