WASHINGTON (September 06, 2022) — Gerard M. “Gerry” Anderson, who recently retired as executive chairman of Detroit-based DTE Energy, today was awarded the Edison Electric Institute’s (EEI’s) Distinguished Leadership Award. The award recognizes the commitments, contributions, and individual achievements of investor-owned electric company leaders. Recipients are chosen by their peers.
“Throughout his distinguished career, Gerry has been a remarkable and steady leader for our industry, helping to guide the clean energy transformation that is underway all across America,” said EEI President Tom Kuhn. “Despite the many headwinds we have faced as a nation in recent years, Gerry’s leadership and advocacy in Washington were instrumental as we worked to advance the infrastructure bill and the robust clean energy tax package that was included in the Inflation Reduction Act. Taken together, these historic laws will make the clean energy transformation more affordable for the customers and communities EEI’s members proudly serve.”
Anderson served as EEI chairman from June 2021 to June 2022 and retired from DTE Energy at the end of June, where he worked for nearly 30 years. He continues to serve as chairman of the Edison Foundation.
“Gerry also has led by example on advancing racial and social justice, and on developing the diversity, equity, and inclusion policies that are helping to create more career opportunities for the people in our local communities,” Kuhn added. “We are honored to present him with this prestigious award.”
Under Anderson's leadership, DTE Energy made a commitment to achieve net-zero by 2050 across both its electric and natural gas operations. DTE Energy also has publicly shared its roadmap to net-zero with clear interim carbon emissions reductions goals along the way.
“I applaud Gerry for his leadership and for his role in helping Congress develop the policies that we need as a country to drive innovation and to accelerate the deployment of new clean energy technologies,” said Nick Akins, chairman and CEO of Columbus, Ohio-based American Electric Power. “The perspective that he brings from the Motor City also has helped to guide the exciting efforts that are underway to drive electrification of the nation’s transportation sector. I congratulate him for receiving this hard-earned award.”
Akins received EEI’s Distinguished Leadership Award in 2017.
Anderson joined DTE Energy in 1993 and held various senior executive leadership roles throughout the enterprise until being named president in 2004, CEO in 2010, and chairman in 2011. He was the architect and leader of the company’s strategy to focus on cost, operational, and service excellence and to develop its non-regulated businesses. As CEO, he focused on building a positive, highly engaged culture – and on deeply connecting DTE Energy to the communities it serves, enabling it to act as a force for good.
In 2019, Anderson was elected executive chairman to serve as an advisor to DTE Energy’s CEO on business issues and to focus on DTE Energy’s community, state, federal, and broader industry roles.
Anderson is the founder and chairman of the Detroit Regional CEO Group. He also chairs the recently formed Detroit Regional Partnership, the Detroit region’s economic development entity. In recent years, Anderson has chaired Business Leaders for Michigan, the Michigan Economic Recovery Council, and the Detroit Economic Club. In addition, Anderson is involved in various local community and civic activities, including serving on the boards of trustees of The Nature Conservancy (Michigan chapter), the McGregor Fund, the Downtown Detroit Partnership, and the West Michigan Policy Forum. He serves on the Board of Directors of The Andersons, a publicly traded company.
