John Cotter, who has more than 20 years of experience in the marketing and trading of electricity, natural gas and oil, has been named vice president-Energy Marketing & Trading for PP&L, Inc.

Most recently, Cotter has served as senior vice president-Marketing for PP&L EnergyPlus, PP&L, Inc.'s electricity sales subsidiary. Cotter's appointment is effective Aug. 27. He replaces Michael T. Steffes, who last week resigned from PP&L, Inc. to pursue other interests.

"John's extensive experience in energy trading and his most recent experience in our PP&L EnergyPlus subsidiary, provide him with a unique perspective on the still evolving, more competitive energy market," said Frank A. Long, PP&L's executive vice president and chief operating officer.

"Our energy marketing and trading operation has been very successful, even in the face of the difficult conditions of this summer. John's in-depth knowledge of this aspect of our business will allow us to continue to take advantage of the tremendous opportunities that the wholesale energy market presents to a company like PP&L, which has extensive generation holdings," said Long.

Cotter has been serving in the PP&L EnergyPlus senior vice president position since October 1998. In that post, he has directed all the marketing activities for the company that sells energy and energy services throughout Pennsylvania and is now expanding into other markets, including New Jersey.

A native of Chester, Pa., Cotter came to PP&L in early 1997 as manager of Energy Marketing and Gas Trading. He was promoted to vice president-Business Markets for PP&L, Inc. in January 1998. Prior to joining PP&L, Cotter worked for two years at PECO Energy Co., where he was power trader and fuel supply manager. He also has served in executive and management positions in the oil industry, specializing in trading, marketing and supply.