Leadership Lone Star College Receives Donation From GDF SUEZ Energy Resources

HOUSTON, Aug. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- GDF SUEZ Energy Resources NA has made a donation of $10,000 to fund scholarships for the Leadership Lone Star College.

Leadership Lone Star College provides an opportunity to educate and mentor emerging student leaders for diverse roles of leadership, linking the Lone Star College System and the community.  The goal of the program is to develop and enhance the leadership skills of its students, while encouraging an appreciation by the students for giving back to the community where they live.

"We want to play an active role in shaping the business leaders of the future," said David Coffman, vice president of marketing for GDF SUEZ Energy Resources.  "We believe strongly that by supporting this program, we'll be helping to provide young people the tools, resources, and expertise they need to face and overcome career challenges, and to excel in their chosen fields."

Intensive monthly sessions for the students in the six-month program allow them to explore and examine the local economy, government, arts and culture, and more. The students also receive applicable skills training based on the StrengthsQuest program, a national leadership training course.

Leadership Lone Star College, which starts in October and concludes in April, also provides students the opportunity to work in a team environment during a community service project.

"Partners like GDF SUEZ Energy Resources are just one of the many reasons our students are able to be successful after obtaining their education," said Kay Fitzsimons, director of Community Leadership Institute for LSCS. "Bridging the gap between local business and the community in which they service is just one way we connect our students and give them the opportunity to learn the value of servant leadership."

Shannon Marino, program manager of student life at LSC-Tomball and a member of the Leadership Lone Star College advisory council reached out for the extra sponsorship.  "When Shannon first told me about the program I was intrigued," said Coffman. "At GDF SUEZ we recognize the importance of cultivating leadership skills in the business world, and having the opportunity to partner with one of our customers to accomplish this has been ideal."

Coffman said the company wanted to expose the students to the energy industry as a whole and GDF SUEZ Energy Resources specifically, while teaching them about potential opportunities.

"We are constantly on the lookout for young and promising talent," Coffman said. "We believe this program gives us access to the next generation of leaders."

For more information on Leadership Lone Star College or how you can be a sponsor, contact Kay Fitzsimons, director of Community Leadership Institute for LSCS at 832-813-6623 or [email protected].

GDF SUEZ Energy Resources NA is one of the largest non-residential retail energy suppliers in the U.S. and currently serves commercial and industrial customers in 12 markets: Delaware, Texas, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Connecticut, Ohio, and Washington, D.C.  The company serves more than 73,000 accounts for customers having a peak demand ranging from 50 kilowatts to more than 200 megawatts, with an estimated peak load totaling nearly 10,000 megawatts.  GDF SUEZ Energy Resources is part of International Power, which in North America manages a range of energy businesses in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, including electricity generation and cogeneration, natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) distribution and sales, asset-based trading and origination, and retail energy sales and related services to commercial and industrial customers.  International Power is listed on the London Stock Exchange with ticker symbol IPR. GDF SUEZ holds a 70% interest in International Power plc.

With more than 69,000 students in credit classes for spring 2011, and a total enrollment of more than 85,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of five colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball, six centers, LSC-University Park, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit www.LoneStar.edu.

SOURCE GDF SUEZ Energy Resources

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