DTE Energy has recently made significant promotions in key leadership positions, underscoring the company’s commitment to customer and community engagement. Rodney Cole has been appointed as the president of the DTE Foundation and DTE Corporate Citizenship, assuming the responsibilities of Lynette Dowler, the retiring vice president of Public Affairs and president of the DTE Foundation. Additionally, Evette Griffie has been named the vice president of Customer & Community Engagement, taking charge of the team previously led by Dowler. Griffie will also oversee DTE’s initiatives to assist customers in need, offering affordable payment plans, financial aid, and other relief.
DTE Energy and its foundation are dedicated to making a meaningful and equitable impact on communities through its energy services. The appointments of Cole and Griffie reflect the company’s commitment to fostering stronger communities and accelerating its corporate citizenship efforts. Jerry Norcia, DTE’s chairman, and CEO, expressed gratitude for Lynette Dowler’s significant contributions and long-standing partnership in supporting customers and DTE.
Lynette Dowler, who dedicated 40 years to DTE, held key leadership roles across various business units and functions. Her expertise spanned safety, nuclear supply chain management, and oversight of power plants like River Rouge and Trenton Channel.
As president of the DTE Foundation, Rodney Cole will lead the foundation’s operations and grant strategies, pivotal in advancing DTE’s job creation, workforce development, social justice, racial equity, and environmental stewardship initiatives in Michigan. Cole will also spearhead efforts to enhance neighborhoods and further the company’s corporate citizenship initiatives across DTE’s service territory. With an 18-year career at DTE, Cole has successfully led several business units, including state government affairs and human resources. He serves on the boards of various organizations, such as the American Association for Blacks in Energy (Michigan), Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan, Connect Detroit, Midnight Golf, and Michigan Humane. Additionally, Cole is involved with the Wayne State University Press Board of Visitors and serves as a member of Teen Hype’s Advisory Board and the Detroit Regional Chamber Advocacy Advisory Council. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Michigan State University and is a graduate of Leadership Detroit Class XXXV and Harvard University’s Young American Leaders Program (YALP) in 2018.
Evette Griffie’s promotion to vice president of Customer & Community Engagement signifies expanding her role within DTE. In addition to leading customer and community engagement efforts, Griffie will now oversee the company’s initiatives to provide energy assistance to vulnerable customers, a responsibility previously held by Tamara Johnson, who is retiring after 20 years of dedicated service. Griffie will be responsible for building and extending partnerships with the communities served by DTE and connecting customers in need with financial aid and payment plans. With eight years of experience at DTE, Griffie most recently served as the director of Customer Strategy & Insights, where she led consumer affairs and research teams to enhance the customer experience. Prior to joining DTE, she gained leadership experience as the manager of External Affairs at AT&T Michigan. Griffie has been a bridge builder throughout her career, forming deep relationships within the communities she served. She currently sits on the Belle Isle Conservancy and Big Brothers Big Sisters Detroit boards. Additionally, she actively mentors local students and has served on the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners and the Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. Griffie holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.
These leadership promotions at DTE Energy reflect the company’s commitment to enhancing customer and community engagement. Through the expertise and dedication of Rodney Cole and Evette Griffie
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