DTE Energy Names John Howell Regional Relations Director

DETROIT, May 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DTE Energy has named John Howell director of regional relations. He will oversee the company's relationships with local officials in communities served by its Detroit Edison and MichCon subsidiaries.

Howell had served since 1998 as assistant to the chairman - employee issues, playing a key role in formulating activities to create a model workplace at DTE Energy.

"As our chief ethics officer, John served with distinction as the conscience of our company, spurring development of the processes and policies to move us toward becoming a model workplace," said Anthony F. Earley, DTE Energy chairman and chief executive officer. "I am confident that John will continue the responsible and responsive leadership of our regional relations function to the betterment of our company and our communities."

Howell joined Detroit Edison in 1970 and subsequently held several positions of increasing responsibility for meter reading, customer and marketing services, and division services. He also served as a regional manager for regional relations in Macomb County.

Howell has served on the boards of directors of the Port Huron chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Macomb Literacy Project and Leadership Macomb. He resides in Port Huron.

DTE Energy is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its largest operating units are Detroit Edison, an electric utility serving 2.1 million customers in Southeastern Michigan, and MichCon, a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan. Information about DTE Energy is available at http://www.dteenergy.com/ .