Direct Energy Named as Finalist in 2012 American Business Awards(SM)

Direct Energy's Volunteer Citizen of the Year award programs are a finalist in the 10th annual Stevie® Awards

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May 10, 2012, 03:47 ET

PITTSBURGH, May 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Direct Energy was named a finalist today in the Community Relations category for its renowned Volunteer Citizen of the Year award programs in the 2012 American Business Awards, and will ultimately be a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Stevie Award winner in the program.

The American Business Awards are the nation's premier business awards program. All organizations operating in the U.S. are eligible to submit nominations – public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small.

More than 3,000 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories, including Most Innovative Company of the Year, Management Team of the Year, Best New Product or Service of the Year, Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year and Executive of the Year, among others.

Each year, Direct Energy strives to support communities in which its employees live and work with its Volunteer Citizen of the Year award programs. In 2011 alone, Direct Energy honored over a dozen volunteers and charitable organizations. The original Volunteer Citizen of the Year award program was launched in Alberta, Canada for its eighth consecutive year this past January and for the third consecutive year, the 2011 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year award program was launched as well. The success of the Volunteer Citizen of the Year award programs in Canada prompted Direct Energy to bring the program to Cleveland, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and most recently in Pennsylvania's capital in the city of Harrisburg.

"Being selected as a finalist in the 10th Annual Stevie® Awards is quite an honor," said Steven Murray, President for Direct Energy Residential. "We are very proud of our Volunteer Citizen of the Year award programs and the opportunity these programs give us to honor outstanding volunteerism in the areas we serve. This type of recognition is gratifying and we are very excited for what is to come."

Finalists were chosen by more than 140 business professionals nationwide during preliminary judging in April and May. More than 150 members of 10 specialized judging committees will determine Stevie Award placements from among the finalists during final judging, to take place May 14 - 25.

Details about The American Business Awards and the list of finalists in all categories are available at www.stevieawards.com/aba.

About Direct Energy

Direct Energy is one of North America's largest energy and energy-related service providers with over 6 million residential and commercial customer relationships. Direct Energy provides customers with choice and support in managing their energy costs through a portfolio of innovative products and services. A subsidiary of Centrica plc (LSE:CNA), one of the world's leading integrated energy companies, Direct Energy operates in 46 states and 10 provinces in Canada. For more information visit www.directenergy.com

About the Stevie Awards

Stevie Awards are conferred in four programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about The Stevie Awards at www.stevieawards.com.

SOURCE Direct Energy