Seidman lecture features Consumers CEO

The CEO of Consumers Energy is the featured speaker at The Peter F. Secchia Breakfast Lecture sponsored by Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business.

John Russell’s presentation, “Our Promise to our Customers and to Michigan,” will take place Wednesday, September 19, at Loosemore Auditorium in the DeVos Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. and the presentation is from 8-9 a.m.

Russell is president and chief executive officer of CMS Energy and its principal subsidiary, Consumers Energy, which serves 1.8 million electric customers and 1.7 million natural gas customers. The company has annual revenues of $6 billion, assets totaling $15.3 billion and 7,700 employees.

Prior to his current position, Russell was president and chief operating officer of Consumers Energy from 2004 to 2010. He also served as president of the electric utility until 2004. Previously, Russell was senior vice president of electric transmission and distribution and held several leadership positions in customer operations, electric restructuring and logistics management. During a break in service from 1985 to 1987, Russell managed the shipping operations for Meijer Inc.

He is a member of the board of directors for CMS Energy and Consumers Energy, and Hubbell Incorporated. He also serves on the boards of the Edison Electric Institute, the American Gas Association, Business Leaders for Michigan, Grand Rapids-based The Right Place Inc., and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.

This event is open to the public. For more information, contact the Seidman College of Business at (616) 331-7100.