Rodney Cole has been appointed director of State Government Affairs for DTE Energy in its Lansing, Michigan region.

Cole will be taking over for Jim Padgett who is retiring this fall after 20 years with DTE. During his time in Wayne County, Cole was the primary contact for DTE and local municipalities as well as community partners.

"Rodney's strong leadership abilities will be crucial as DTE continues to engage in the implementation of the 2016 energy policy legislation and works to develop new generation to meet our customers' needs," Rense Hoeksema, vice president of Corporate and Government Affairs at DTE, said.

Cole became part of the DTE Energy team in 2006, after having graduated from Michigan State University with his bachelor's and master's degrees and after working with Capital H Group as an HR consultant. 

Cole's first role with DTE was in HR, working in electric distribution operations, corporate services and IT divisions.