DTE Energy has announced the appointment of Joi Harris as its new president and CEO, marking a historic milestone as the first woman to lead the Detroit-based utility company.
Harris, a 34-year veteran of DTE, currently serves as the company’s president and chief operating officer. She will officially assume the role of CEO on September 8, following a unanimous decision by the DTE Board of Directors. The announcement represents the culmination of a carefully planned, multi‑year succession plan.
“I am honored to take on this role at such a pivotal moment for our company and industry,” Harris said in a statement. “We are in a time of transformation, and I’m committed to executing our strategy with urgency — modernizing infrastructure, delivering for our customers, and building the energy systems that will power future generations.”
Harris began her journey at DTE as a high school engineering co-op before joining the company full-time in 1991. Over the years, she has played a critical role in modernizing infrastructure and boosting reliability, most notably as a key architect of DTE’s electric grid investments, which led to a 70% improvement in electric reliability in 2024. She also oversaw construction of the $1 billion Blue Water Energy Center, a combined-cycle gas plant in St. Clair County that began operations in 2022.
“Joi Harris is a respected, strategic thinker known for driving results with focus and precision,” said outgoing CEO Jerry Norcia, who will transition to executive chair of the board. “Over her 34 years at DTE, she has delivered a proven track record of operational excellence. She brings clear-eyed judgment, purpose-driven leadership and an unwavering commitment to what matters most to our customers, employees, investors and communities.”
As president and COO, Harris led DTE’s electric and gas operations, as well as its customer service, IT, and safety divisions. Under her leadership, the company also advanced renewable energy projects and strengthened customer service systems.
Harris holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Wayne State University and serves on several key boards, including the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP), the WSU College of Engineering Board of Visitors, and the Skillman Foundation. She has received multiple accolades, including the Woman of the Year honor from Michigan Chronicle’s Women of Excellence and the Maverick Award from Energetic Women.
Norcia, who joined DTE in 2002 and became CEO in 2019, will continue to support Harris in his new role. He is credited with expanding services for low-income customers and helping develop the Low-Income Self-Sufficiency Program, a model for the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) that was signed into law earlier this year.
“We thank Jerry for putting so much of his heart and soul into leading the company to new levels of performance for all of our stakeholders, and we look forward to supporting Joi as she builds on that progress,” said Mark Murray, lead independent director of the DTE Board.
DTE Energy provides electricity to 2.3 million customers in Southeastern Michigan and natural gas to 1.3 million customers across the state.
