Mayor's Office Press Release
City of Houston Launches Loaned Executive Program
July 20, 2016 -- CenterPoint Energy will be the first local company to participate in the City of Houston’s new Loaned Executive Program (LEP). The LEP provides the City senior level private sector expertise at no cost to the City. CenterPoint will loan Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications Floyd LeBlanc. LeBlanc will be assigned to the Houston Department of Public Works and Engineering to serve as the City’s Community Planning and Emergency Preparedness Advisor.
“I want to thank CenterPoint for stepping up to the plate to help us get this program started,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “The City will benefit from the unique perspective and skills of a seasoned professional without the added cost of a salary or fees that usually accompany a consulting arrangement. Floyd will help us implement more effective and efficient processes for utility work. The City, CenterPoint and Houstonians will all benefit.”
The City, CenterPoint and many others share a common right of way in delivering services to our community. By placing executives from both the City and CenterPoint more closely together, they will be able to create longer-term solutions that allow for safer and more efficient uses of public spaces. LeBlanc is expected to assist with the development of processes that improve customer service for business and residential PWE customers and work to improve public/private coordination for work in public rights of way.
“We are pleased to collaborate with Mayor Turner and partner with his leadership team to promote the long-term vitality of this City because we all benefit by working together,” said Scott Prochazka, chief executive officer of CenterPoint Energy. “With more than 30 years of leadership, operational and crisis communications experience, Floyd offers a unique and valuable perspective. He will focus on policy analysis, program implementation and emergency preparedness.”
In his most recent role with CenterPoint, LeBlanc was responsible for corporate communications including internal communications to the company’s 7,400 employees, media relations and financial communications. He was also responsible for community relations efforts, which includes corporate philanthropy, educational outreach and the company’s employee volunteer program as well as Houston area local relations.
LeBlanc will remain an employee of CenterPoint, which will continue to pay his compensation and benefits, including health insurance, salary and incentive pay. The agreement is for one year with the option of extending for an additional year.