Speakers
Tracey D. Blakes is the Director of HR Services for CPS Energy, the largest municipally owned energy company in the nation providing both gas and electric power. In her role, she oversees Recruitment, Compensation, HRIS Administration, Policies, Processes, Metrics and Diversity. Tracey has been with CPS Energy since November 2011 and immediately became an active member with the Texas Diversity Council.
For more than 15 years in the Human Resource field, Tracey has focused her efforts on Diversity and Inclusion in all of her previous roles â whether it was a formalized part of her role or not. She has worked in Call Centers, the Prescription Benefit Management industry and now in the Energy industry. She is well versed in Human Resources having served in roles such as Recruitment, Employee Relations, Training, Generalist and Management. One common thread that she has worked to maintain as she has moved up in her career was her focus on ALL levels of employees. She has made it a personal commitment to always maintain a connection to all employees in any organization where she works so that she can truly serve those who make the company run.
Prior to working in the Human Resource field, Tracey served 10 years as a member of the United States Air Force where she proudly served in Operation Desert Shield/Storm. She is originally from Virginia, but has lived in Texas since 1996.
Tracey attended St. Leo College where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Human Resource Administration and Webster University where she earned a Master's Degree in Human Resource Development and Training. She is also a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR).
In her personal time, Tracey is most dedicated to the civilian career transition and advancement of veterans. She regularly speaks to groups of veterans who are leaving the military and are seeking career guidance. Being a veteran herself, she is able to speak the language of a veteran and help them learn the language of a civilian. This voluntary outreach is very fulfilling to Tracey as she gets to enjoy helping others successfully maneuver the transition and become successful in their chosen career field. This serves a benefit to both the veteran and the gaining organization.
Tracey also volunteers with San Antonio Sports in her free time and is dedicated to helping youth understand the connection between success in sports and success in life. She recognizes the lessons learned "on the field" can help students be successful in the future when they are "in the field" of their choosing.
Tracey and her husband Edwin live in San Antonio and have one daughter, Lauren, who attends the University of Houston where she is a member of their Women's Soccer team. She is also an active member of True Vine Baptist Church in San Antonio, TX.