JACKSON, Mich., Jan. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility and the fourth-largest U.S. combination utility, announced today several leadership moves that build on its customer-first focus and commitment to serving Michigan.

"We continue to deliver on our Promise to Michigan, delivering energy safely, affordably, reliably and sustainably. Today's leadership announcement builds on more than 128 years of serving communities across our state," said John Russell, president and chief executive officer for Consumers Energy.

The planned leadership moves announced today occur in light of pending retirements of Ronn Rasmussen, vice president of strategy and research and a 37-year employee, and Jack Hanson, senior vice president of energy resources and a 28-year employee.

Consumers Energy's Board of Directors approved the following leadership changes:


    --  Dan Malone is named senior vice president of energy resources. Malone
        previously served as senior vice president of distribution operations
        and engineering & transmission. He has overall responsibility for the
        sourcing and supply of electricity and natural gas for Consumers
        Energy's 3 million residential and business customers, including
        oversight of the company's generation fleet, and gas compression and
        storage.
    --  Patti Poppe is named senior vice president of distribution operations,
        engineering and transmission. She previously served as vice president of
        customer experience, rates and regulation. Poppe has overall
        responsibility for the company's electric and gas distribution systems,
        energy operations, electric transmission, and gas transmission.
    --  Garrick Rochow is named vice president of customer experience, rates and
        regulation, and quality. He previously served as vice president of
        customer operations and quality, and as vice president of energy
        delivery. Rochow has overall responsibility for the company's commitment
        to customer service and satisfaction, quality, rates and regulatory
        relations.
    --  Cathy Hendrian is named vice president of human resources. Formerly the
        director of human resources, Hendrian has responsibility for the
        development and implementation of the company's workforce strategy.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.5 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go towww.ConsumersEnergy.com.

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SOURCE Consumers Energy