DTE VANTAGE - Key Persons


Dave Smith

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Steel
Dave joined DTE in 1997 and is Vice President responsible for leading the DTE Vantage Steel Industry Energy Solutions group. Prior to joining DTE, Dave worked at Mallinckrodt Medical Company in various financial and accounting positions. He received a BS from Cleary University and a MS in finance from Walsh College.

Gregg Russell

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Carbon Capture & Sequestration
Gregg joined DTE in 2015 and is currently Vice President responsible for the DTE Vantage Carbon Capture & Sequestration group. Prior to his current role, Gregg oversaw the commercial activity of DT Midstream (formerly DTE Midstream). Prior to joining DTE, Gregg was with Energy Transfer's Interstate Pipeline group. Gregg brings 30 plus years of experience managing natural gas midstream and storage development to DTE's carbon capture and sequestration initiatives. He received a BA in Economics from the University of Houston.

Hector Lara

Job Titles:
  • Maintenance Technician, at the DTE Vantage Mt. Poso Waste Wood Power Plant Located Near Bakersfield, California
Hector Lara, maintenance technician, at the DTE Vantage Mt. Poso waste wood power plant located near Bakersfield, California

John Kret


Kevin Dobson

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Biomass
Kevin joined DTE in 2007 and is Vice President responsible for the DTE Vantage Biomass group. Prior to joining DTE, he was with Ford Motor Company where he focused on business development. Kevin received a BS in business administration from Central Michigan University and an MBA from the University of Michigan.

Mark Stiers - COO, President

Job Titles:
  • COO
  • President
Mark joined DTE in 2006 and is currently President & COO of DTE Vantage. Prior to his current role, Mark was the President & COO of DTE Gas (formerly MichCon). Prior to joining DTE, Mark held several executive positions with other organizations including WPS Energy and Engage where he focused on the retail and wholesale gas and electric markets. He received an MBA and a bachelor of commerce degree from the University of Windsor.

Michael Solo - Chief Legal Officer, VP

Job Titles:
  • General Counsel
  • Vice President
Michael joined DTE in 1997 and is Vice President and General Counsel for DTE Vantage and also responsible for DTE's Energy Enterprise Regulatory and Environmental Law Practices. Michael received a BS in Business Administration and Plastics Technology Engineering from Ohio University and a Juris Doctor Degree from John Marshall College of Law.

Nick LaPoulas

Job Titles:
  • Associate

Phil O'Niel

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Business Development, Strategy and M & a
Phil joined DTE in 2010 and is Vice President responsible for leading the DTE Vantage Business Development, Strategy and M&A team. Prior to joining DTE, he was with General Motors where he focused on embedded software development and vehicle automation. Phil received an MBA and a BS in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan.

Shari Kirby

Job Titles:
  • Director, HR
Shari joined DTE in 2005 and is currently Director, Human Resources for DTE Vantage. Prior to joining DTE, she was with the City of Ypsilanti where she was responsible for overall human resources program, including labor negotiations for the police, fire, public works and clerical unions. Shari received a BA in employment relations from Michigan State University and an MA in organizational management from the University of Phoenix.

Steve Earhart - SVP

Job Titles:
  • Senior Vice President
Steve joined DTE in 1999 and is Senior Vice President responsible for overseeing all aspects of the DTE Vantage Business Development, Strategy and M&A, On-Site Energy business and Project Management groups. Prior to joining DTE, he was a vice president of the Foram Group, a real estate management company. Previously Steve worked in business development with Florida Power & Light. He received an MBA from Nova University and a BS in electrical engineering from the University of Central Florida.