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 <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:4pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>UNITED STATES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>FORM <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>CURRENT
REPORT </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October&nbsp;24, 2013 </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:24pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>Texas</B></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>1-31447</B></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>74-0694415</B></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(State or other jurisdiction</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>of incorporation)</B></P></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Commission</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>File Number)</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(IRS Employer</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Identification No.)</B></P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>1111 Louisiana</B></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>Houston, Texas</B></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>77002</B></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>(Address of principal executive offices)</B></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>(Zip Code)</B></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code: (713)&nbsp;207-1111 </B></P>
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<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any
of the following provisions (<I>see </I>General Instruction A.2. below): </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">ITEM&nbsp;5.02. DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN
OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On October&nbsp;29, 2013, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;)
announced that (i)&nbsp;David M. McClanahan will step down as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and as a member of the Company&#146;s Board of Directors (the &#147;Board&#148;), effective December&nbsp;31, 2013, and
(ii)&nbsp;Scott M. Prochazka has been selected by the Board to succeed Mr.&nbsp;McClanahan as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and to become a member of the Board, effective January&nbsp;1, 2014. Mr. Prochazka was appointed to
these positions by the Board on October 24, 2013. Following December&nbsp;31, 2013, Mr.&nbsp;McClanahan will continue to serve as an officer of the Company and special advisor to the Company&#146;s Chief Executive Officer during a transition period
and until Mr.&nbsp;McClanahan&#146;s retirement, which is expected to occur in the second half of 2014. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Mr.&nbsp;Prochazka, age 47, has
served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since August&nbsp;1, 2012. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Division President, Electric Operations of the Company from May 2011 through July 2012; as
Division Senior Vice President, Electric Operations of the Company&#146;s wholly owned subsidiary, CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, from February 2009 to May 2011; as Division Senior Vice President Regional Operations of the Company&#146;s
wholly owned subsidiary, CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., from February 2008 to February 2009; and as Division Vice President, Customer Service Operations, from October 2006 to February 2008. The Board determined that Mr.&nbsp;Prochazka should be
appointed as a director due to his extensive knowledge of the industry and the Company, its operations and people, gained in his years of service with the Company in positions of increasing responsibility. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B></B>No modifications were made to either Mr. McClanahan&#146;s or Mr. Prochazka&#146;s existing compensation arrangements in connection
with the announced succession plan. As of the date of this filing, the Company has not made any determination with regard to any compensatory plan, contract, arrangement or award for Mr. Prochazka in connection with his appointment to succeed Mr.
McClanahan. </P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">SIGNATURE </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="3">CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top">Date: October&nbsp;29, 2013</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">By:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Christopher J. Arntzen</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom">Christopher J. Arntzen</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Vice President, Deputy General</I></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary</I></P></TD></TR>
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Form 8-K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
8-K
CURRENT
REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 24, 2013
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Texas
1-31447
74-0694415
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
1111 Louisiana
Houston, Texas
77002
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (713) 207-1111
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any
of the following provisions (
see
General Instruction A.2. below):
¨
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
ITEM 5.02. DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN
OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS.
On October 29, 2013, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (the "Company")
announced that (i) David M. McClanahan will step down as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and as a member of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board"), effective December 31, 2013, and
(ii) Scott M. Prochazka has been selected by the Board to succeed Mr. McClanahan as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and to become a member of the Board, effective January 1, 2014. Mr. Prochazka was appointed to
these positions by the Board on October 24, 2013. Following December 31, 2013, Mr. McClanahan will continue to serve as an officer of the Company and special advisor to the Company's Chief Executive Officer during a transition period
and until Mr. McClanahan's retirement, which is expected to occur in the second half of 2014.
Mr. Prochazka, age 47, has
served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since August 1, 2012. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Division President, Electric Operations of the Company from May 2011 through July 2012; as
Division Senior Vice President, Electric Operations of the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, from February 2009 to May 2011; as Division Senior Vice President Regional Operations of the Company's
wholly owned subsidiary, CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., from February 2008 to February 2009; and as Division Vice President, Customer Service Operations, from October 2006 to February 2008. The Board determined that Mr. Prochazka should be
appointed as a director due to his extensive knowledge of the industry and the Company, its operations and people, gained in his years of service with the Company in positions of increasing responsibility.
No modifications were made to either Mr. McClanahan's or Mr. Prochazka's existing compensation arrangements in connection
with the announced succession plan. As of the date of this filing, the Company has not made any determination with regard to any compensatory plan, contract, arrangement or award for Mr. Prochazka in connection with his appointment to succeed Mr.
McClanahan.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
Date: October 29, 2013
By:
/s/ Christopher J. Arntzen
Christopher J. Arntzen
Vice President, Deputy General
Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary