Direct Energy EVP Receives National Award

Houston, TX (April 25, 2014) - Direct Energy Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Internal Communications Melinda "Mel" Reeves has been selected by the National Diversity Council as the recipient of their Most Powerful & Influential Women Award. Reeves is responsible for more than 6000 employees across the U.S. and Canada for one of the largest providers of electricity, natural gas and related services in North America. The award will be presented May 1st during a ceremony at the 2014 Texas Diversity and Leadership Conference in San Antonio.

Reeves has more than 25 years of experience in human resources in energy, financial services, insurance, and high tech industries. Her experience includes multiple HR disciplines with deep technical expertise in employee relations, talent acquisition, talent development and culture and organizational transformations.

"Mel is certainly one of Direct Energy's greatest assets, bringing specialized expertise that has helped shape our company culture and policies. This award exemplifies the amazing accomplishments she has made, and we look forward to cultivating many others to follow in her footsteps," said Badar Khan, CEO, Direct Energy. "Diversity among Direct Energy's leadership is an important characteristic we keep in mind, and one which we are thankful to the National Diversity Council for recognizing."

The National Diversity Council Most Powerful & Influential Women Award recognizes individuals who meet the following criteria: Provides leadership excellence in the public and/ or private sectors; Sustains a record of accomplishments and/or contributions to field of work throughout scope of her career; Has clout within her organization in terms of significant impact on revenues, profitability, and/ or direction of the organization, and; demonstrates leadership and commitment to community well-being and/or high visibility in the community.

"We are proud to recognize these well-deserving and prominent female leaders such as Melinda Reeves during our tenth-anniversary event," says Dennis Kennedy, Founder & CEO, National Diversity Council. "We applaud the commitment from these organizations to the advancement of women in senior leadership positions."

Outside of her full-time work, Reeves serves on the board of ACCION Texas, a designated community development financial institution with a mission to provide credit and services to small businesses and entrepreneurs who do not have access to loans from commercial sources and to provide leadership and innovation to the microlending industry.

Prior to Direct Energy, Reeves worked for USAA, an integrated financial services firm, where she last served as the executive vice president for People Services. Before that, she held key leadership positions in human resources with Compaq Computer Corporation and American General Life Insurance. She also previously served on the board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio.

Reeves is a Texas native and holds a Bachelor's of Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin and is a certified Senior Professional, Human Resources (SPHR). Melinda and her husband, Skip, have three children, two miniature dachshunds and reside in Houston. In her spare time, she enjoys exercising, reading, traveling and photography.

For further information, please contact:
Jessica Michan
Direct Energy
jessica.michan@directenergy.com
713-904-7488