DTE Energy Announces Leadership Changes

DETROIT, Jan. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of DTE Energy's ongoing work to strengthen the relationships with the communities it serves, and enhance the experience of its leadership team, the company announced the following changes, effective immediately.      

Joyce Hayes Giles is appointed assistant to the chairman and senior vice president, Public Affairs.  In her new role, Giles has overall responsibility for the company's outreach initiatives to its communities.  She serves as the DTE Energy Foundation chair, working with other Foundation board members to develop strategy.  She also leads the company's many other community outreach efforts. 

Giles previously served as assistant to the chairman and senior vice president of Customer Service for DTE Energy. 

Giles reports directly to DTE's Chairman, President and CEO Gerry Anderson.  "We are committed to being a force for growth and prosperity in the communities we serve," Anderson said.  "Given Joyce's many civic contributions, strong standing in the community and now her new leadership role, Joyce will be in a key position to fulfill our commitment."              

Fred Shell, vice president of Corporate and Government Affairs, and president of the DTE Energy Foundation, is pleased to announce Jennifer Whitteaker as manager of Corporate Contributions and Community Involvement.  In her new role, she is responsible for overseeing the company's philanthropic contributions and for planning and managing the company's charitable contributions programs including:  the DTE Energy Foundation and corporate cash contributions; donation of services and surplus materials and matching gift programs. 

Whitteaker joined DTE in 1992 and most recently served in the role of regional manager.  Whitteaker replaces Karla Hall, who served as manager of Corporate Contributions and Community Involvement, and vice president of the DTE Energy Foundation.  Hall has been named manager, Civic Affairs.  In this new role, Hall will develop strategies and identify opportunities for DTE to better serve the needs of the community.   

Hall joined DTE Energy in 1997, as administrator of corporate contributions and secretary of the Detroit Edison Foundation.  Prior to joining DTE, Hall managed the philanthropic programs at three other Michigan-based companies.     

Shell noted Hall's significant impact on the community.  "Karla is an amazing ambassador for the company and advocate for the community.  Over the past 15 years, Karla has helped to establish DTE's foundation as one of the state's leading philanthropic institutions," he said.    

Hall and Whitteaker will remain part of the company's Corporate and Government Affairs group led by Shell.

Shell noted that the changes are part of a broader shift to strengthen the overall leadership and impact of the Corporate and Government Affairs group.     

DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric utility serving 2.1 million customers in Southeastern Michigan and a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan.  The DTE Energy portfolio also includes non-utility energy businesses focused on power and industrial projects, unconventional gas production and energy trading.  Information about DTE Energy is available at dteenergy.com, twitter.com/dte_energy and facebook.com/dteenergy.

SOURCE DTE Energy