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Consumers Energy Welcomes Shannon Thomas as Chief People Officer

Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest energy provider, has announced the appointment of Shannon Thomas as the company’s new senior vice president and chief people officer. Effective September 29, this key leadership role reflects the company’s aim to enhance its human resources strategy in alignment with overall business goals.

In a statement addressing Thomas's appointment, Garrick Rochow, the president and CEO of CMS Energy and Consumers Energy, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "I’m thrilled to have Shannon join the Consumers Energy team." He elaborated on Thomas's impressive 20-plus years of experience in human resources leadership, emphasizing how her expertise would be crucial in driving the company’s vision forward as they refine their people strategy. The goal is to ensure that customer and employee needs are meticulously aligned with the company's long-term strategic priorities, which is essential in today’s ever-evolving energy market.

Shannon Thomas comes to Consumers Energy with a rich and diverse background. Prior to this role, she served as the chief human resources officer at EnerSys, a global leader in energy storage solutions. Her career spans significant leadership roles at various companies, including The Chemours Company, Owens Corning, and Danaher. In these positions, Thomas has established a reputation for enhancing the human resources function to achieve measurable business outcomes while fostering stronger community connections in both her professional and personal endeavors.

Educationally, Thomas is equipped with a bachelor’s degree in human resources management from Marietta College and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston – Clear Lake. This solid educational foundation, combined with her vast professional experience, positions her well to lead Consumers Energy’s people strategies effectively.

Consumers Energy services approximately 6.8 million residents across all 68 counties in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, making it an essential entity in the state’s energy sector. As the company embarks on this new chapter with Shannon Thomas at the helm of human resources, stakeholders are hopeful that her leadership will yield positive impacts on both employee engagement and customer satisfaction.

As the energy sector faces numerous challenges, including the transition to renewable sources and ensuring reliability, companies like Consumers Energy are keenly aware of the importance of their workforce in navigating these changes. With a proven leader like Shannon Thomas, it appears that Consumers Energy is not only prioritizing the development of its people but is also committed to enhancing its organizational culture, community involvement, and overall operational efficiency.

Shannon Thomas stepping into this pivotal role signals a strategic enhancement to Consumers Energy’s leadership team, and the industry will be watching closely as she implements her vision for the company’s future. The commitment to align human resources with business strategy reflects a progressive approach that could position Consumers Energy favorably against its competitors in this rapidly changing market.