Edison Electric Institute honors DTE’s Gerry Anderson with distinguished leadership award

The former executive chairman of DTE Energy, Gerry Anderson, was presented the Distinguished Leadership Award this week by the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) in honor of a lifetime of work in the investor-owned electric company sphere.

Chosen by his peers for the honor, Anderson had worked at DTE Energy for nearly 30 years. Now a chairman of the Edison Foundation, he also served as EEI chairman from June 2021 to June 2022 but retired from DTE that same month.

“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,” EEI President Tom Kuhn said. “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.”

When Anderson began work at DTE in 1993, it was a different time for the energy industry, and his tenure saw many changes. He first became CEO of the company in 2010, followed by its chairman in 2011, and under his guidance, the company pivoted to a focus on cost, operations, and service, while also developing non-regulated businesses. Anderson was still at DTE’s helm when it committed to a net-zero emissions goal for its electric and natural gas operations by 2050.

“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,” Nick Akins, chairman and CEO of American Electric Power, said. “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.”