SARASOTA, Fla. - Direct Energy, one of North America’s leading integrated energy and services companies, has announced that Scott Boose has been named president of Clockwork Home Services. Boose succeeds Jim Abrams, the co-founder of Clockwork.

Prior to joining Clockwork Home Services, Boose served as managing director of heating services at British Gas, a sister company of Direct Energy. As managing director, Boose was responsible for the largest in-house workforce of domestic gas technicians in the world - 8,000 individuals servicing over 4 million customers across the UK. “Scott Boose is a proven business builder and a HVAC industry leader. I am confident that under Scott’s leadership, Clockwork will continue to grow substantially benefitting homeowners, employees, franchisees, and our business partners,” said Eddy Collier, president, Direct Energy Services.

Abrams, co-founder and CEO of Clockwork Home Services, will be stepping back from his day-to-day CEO responsibilities effective Dec. 31, 2010 and assuming a role as special advisor to Clockwork, Direct Energy, and Centrica, Direct Energy’s UK-based parent company. Abrams began his career in the home services industry as a straight commission salesperson with the Trane Co. in the mid 1970s. He opened his own HVAC business in 1981, co-founded Service Experts, taking it public on the NASDAQ (and later to the NYSE), and started Clockwork Home Services in 1998. Clockwork was combined with Direct Energy in July 2010.

“Jim revolutionized the North American home services industry at each step of his career. Part of his significant legacy are our highly professional and knowledgeable employees, franchisees, and affinity members dedicated to bringing homeowners’ exceptional customer service and value,” noted Collier. “I am delighted that Jim will be bringing his unparalleled expertise to the wider Centrica group and am confident colleagues across the business will value his insights as much as I do.”

Clockwork is the parent company of: One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning, Mister Sparky, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Plumbers Success International, Airtime 500, Electricians Success International, Roofers Success International, BuyMax, SuccessWare and Success Academy.

“I’m looking forward to greater freedom of time after serving consumers, independent contractors, and franchisees for the past 36 years,” said Abrams. “Direct Energy and Clockwork are an ideal fit, bringing complementary strengths together to build the largest home services company in North America. The integration is well underway, and I am confident that under Scott’s leadership, Clockwork will remain focused on helping owned-operations, franchises, and affinity clients rapidly expand their businesses.”

For more information about Direct Energy, visit www.directenergy.com. For more information about Clockwork Home Services, visit www.clockworkhomeservices.com.

Publication date:12/20/2010