DETROIT, July 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) today named Rodney Cole to the position of director, State Government Affairs, leading the company's policy and advocacy efforts in Lansing, Mich. In his new role, Cole will lead DTE's Lansing office and will continue strengthening relationships with Michigan's public sector leaders to create and implement policy that benefits DTE's customers throughout the state.

Cole most recently led DTE's Wayne County Regional Relations team, where he served as the primary contact between DTE and local municipalities - including the City of Detroit ? and community partners. Cole replaces Jim Padgett, who will retire in September after serving 20 years in a leadership role with DTE's regulatory and government affairs organizations.

"Rodney's strong leadership abilities will be crucial as DTE continues to engage in the implementation of the 2016 energy policy legislation and works to develop new generation to meet our customers' needs," said Renze Hoeksema, vice president, Corporate and Government Affairs for DTE Energy. "Rodney's natural ability to build strong, authentic relationships and his experience leading change make him a perfect fit for this role, and I am excited to see the impact he'll have in Lansing."

Cole received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Michigan State University, and soon after served as an HR consultant with Capital H Group, providing client-focused recruiting services. Cole joined DTE Energy in 2006 working in Human Resources and supported the company's gas utility and non-regulated gas businesses, electric distribution operations and its Corporate Services and Information Technology areas.

Cole serves on the boards of City Connect Detroit, Don Bosco Hall, Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan, Booker T. Washington Business Association, Teen Hype and the Wayne State University Press Board of Visitors.

Cole's replacement will be named at a later date.

About DTE Energy
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 2.2 million customers in Southeastern Michigan and a natural gas utility serving 1.3 million customers in Michigan. The DTE Energy portfolio includes non-utility energy businesses focused on power and industrial projects, natural gas pipelines, gathering and storage, and energy marketing and trading. As one of Michigan's leading corporate citizens, DTE Energy is a force for growth and prosperity in the 450 Michigan communities it serves in a variety of ways, including philanthropy, volunteerism and economic progress. Information about DTE Energy is available at dteenergy.com, twitter.com/dte_energy and facebook.com/dteenergy.

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SOURCE DTE Energy