“The partnership between MCHS and our company began in 2018,” said Paul “Scotty” Campbell, transmission control center training supervisor. “I saw that there was a need to develop the talent in this area and show them why they should come work at Entergy.”��

This realization led to the establishment of a partnership that would lead hearts and minds of young engineering interests at Madison Central High School to see that amazing career fields are right in their backyard.����

The MCHS Academy of Engineering has a three-week learning unit with Entergy to help students understand how engineering plays a role in their daily lives. About 20 students were given the opportunity to put their learned knowledge into action and see firsthand how all parts of electricity work, including clean nuclear power. One student shared, “Seeing the schematics for the power grid was really neat since I’ve been exposed to that in digital electronics.” Another said, “I finally understand the process of getting electricity from fossil fuels to a home, and about all of the people required to get it accomplished.”��

“Career readiness is an essential skill that is needed on day one to get a job,” says Rosalyn Howard, Entergy program manager for Diversity and Workplace Strategies. Howard served as the organizer for this event and said, “There must be a focus through stakeholder engagement, meaning that we are sharing knowledge with the community and nurturing the future workforce.”����

The students were also able to gain valuable insight from our Chief Nuclear Officer Kimberly Cook-Nelson as well.����

“We spend a lot of time at Entergy focusing on volunteering in local schools,” she said. “We start in the middle schools, then continue through high schools, trade schools and colleges to help people see and know what a career at Entergy looks like.”��

As part of the program, students were able to visit the Hinds Power Plant, Transmission Control Center and Transmission headquarters. “Seeing real-world applications of power generation, transmission and control helped bridge the gap between classroom concepts and industry practices”, said Michelle Robinson, academy director and science department chair at MCHS. “Thank you to Entergy for providing such a comprehensive and impactful experience.”��

“Grand Gulf has been a pillar in the local community,” Coleman said. “It’s been an honor to grow up here and develop my career.”��

The chemistry department is responsible for protecting the nuclear reactor. As part of his new job, Coleman provides oversight to the group and makes sure everything is managed properly. He is also excited to develop his technicians and grow their proficiency.��

 “I was developed as a young technician. It afforded me the opportunity to become the chemistry superintendent today,” he said. “I want to be able to pass that knowledge and opportunity down and really teach my technicians we can be part of the solution we want to see.”��

 As Grand Gulf approaches its 40th anniversary, Coleman said he was excited to see that the same nuclear plant that gave him his start is still around and running strong to give those same opportunities to the next generation of nuclear workers in the local community.��

 He also mentioned that as a fun fact, he is a proud Dallas Cowboys fan.��

And yet, the season also gives us time to pause, to reflect on 12 months of achievements and challenges, and to plan for fresh beginnings in the spanking-new year.

As we reminisce about the highlights of��’24, it’s only fitting that we spotlight some of the best and brightest moments for Entergy’s nuclear fleet.

Let’s flip some calendar pages and name a few….

In��March, Entergy Nuclear engineered��some exciting changes��in Port Gibson, Miss.! An all-woman group of managers led Grand Gulf Nuclear Station’s engineering team—an important first! Valerie Myers is plant support manager, Tori Robinson led the design projects team and Grace Settoon managed strategic and systems engineering. Since then, in recognition of their excellent work, Robinson accepted a position as design projects manager at the corporate office in Jackson, and Settoon was selected by site leadership to serve as a consultant at the��, headquartered in Atlanta.

In��April, two-thirds of Arkansas fell inside the path of totality during the historic total eclipse, causing a very brief reduction in output at the solar energy stations. Yet, due to Entergy’s diverse energy portfolio—roughly����comes from nuclear—Entergy still kept the lights shining bright��for its customers!

In��June,����with����to����that promises some powerful benefits! The project could increase efficiencies, lower operational costs, prevent generation losses due to equipment failures and improve the predictability of plant operations. If proved successful, Entergy will employ the model at one of its stations and potentially expand to others.

In��September, while the winds of Hurricane Francine howled, thanks to the diligent preparation, strong teamwork and safety-first mindset of Entergy’s nuclear professionals,��their plants stayed on the grid, producing round-the-clock power for its customers. Entergy’s communities are grateful for the strength and resilience not only of nuclear power—but also of the entire team at Arkansas Nuclear One in Russellville, Ark.; Grand Gulf Nuclear Station in Port Gibson, Miss.; River Bend Station in St. Francisville, La., and Waterford 3 Steam Electric Station in Killona, La.

Later in��September,��, a consortium of leading North American utilities that advise on the development and commercialization of����fluoride salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor��. Entergy’s Chief Nuclear Officer Kimberly Cook-Nelson said of the alliance, “We believe advanced nuclear technologies will play an important role in decarbonizing the U.S. energy system, and we’re pleased to be in a position to help nurture the development of new resources like KP-FHR.”

In��October, Cook-Nelson was named among the 2024����in the Profiles in Diversity Journal® magazine, which recognizes influential women who are using their talents to improve their workplace and our world. In its third-quarter issue, the journal featured Cook-Nelson’s reflections of her 28 years in the nuclear industry and her advice to never shy away from a challenge, shun the phrase “you can’t” and always remember: It’s about the people.

Also in��October, The��Entergy Charitable Foundation��awarded a����to help the HBCU establish a Critical Power Grid Network Security Lab. As an expansion of the university’s cybersecurity education curriculum, the lab will serve a twofold purpose: to offer students the necessary skills and resources to learn about the industry and to help grow a workforce to meet the needs of nuclear, electric and natural gas companies. Entergy and JSU have partnered before to create the��, another program in the��.

Later that month, Entergy’s nuclear fleet celebrated international��! The company is proud that its five reactors in four locations in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi can cleanly power small towns, big cities and everywhere in between.�� By harnessing��100% clean nuclear power, Entergy is helping to meet the growing demands of the nation’s carbon-free energy needs.

In��December, Entergy Nuclear topped off the year with the����of��, Unit 1! Now, the two nuclear units at ANO generate not only a steady stream of clean, carbon-free energy but also significant positive impact in the River Valley. The station employs more than 1,000 full-time nuclear professionals who care deeply about their community. And just for good measure, let’s celebrate the contributions made by Entergy’s��entire��nuclear fleet! In 2024, all four nuclear stations—Arkansas Nuclear One, Grand Gulf, River Bend Station in St. Francisville, La. and Waterford 3 Steam Electric Station in Killona, La. — together with Entergy Nuclear headquarters in Jackson, Miss.,��awarded $155,805 in grants to benefit their surrounding communities.

“It is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit two national labs with my cohorts from around the world,” said Johnson.

She will be visiting Idaho National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory for a week each through the fully funded program.

“Shana is an outgoing and hardworking engineer who is passionate about nuclear advocacy and outreach,” said Kerry Gaston, one of Johnson’s managers in risk engineering at Entergy Nuclear. “With her personality, she will take this opportunity to learn about leadership and bring her findings back to Entergy to jumpstart her career.”

The program, named for a scientist and established on International Women’s Day this year, is for women who are early to mid-career in the nuclear engineering profession seeking to advance their technical and soft skills. The group, consisting of 10 to 15 women in nuclear, will be focusing on leadership and networking skills through seminars with global experts in the field as well as conducting tests and modelling using software simulators at the labs.

She was chosen for the program through an extensive application, recommendation and interview process.

Johnson graduated from North Carolina University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering and a minor in creative writing, which she chose to utilize her technical and creative skills. While earning her degree, she worked an engineering co-op with Dominion ���ϳԹ���. Since graduating, she has worked with Entergy Nuclear in her current position.

“I was really hoping to get into the program because I have been growing a lot in my position even though I am so early in my career,” Johnson said. “Since I work in a small group at Entergy, I’m so excited to be around women who are going through a similar part of life as I am with the same interests.”

Johnson grew up close to Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois where she attended STEM programs about clean energy, inspiring her to become a nuclear engineer and making her acceptance into this program even more special to her.

“I have experienced the importance of programs such as this one before, and I feel very appreciative to be a part of one,” Johnson said.

During college, she volunteered in two STEM camps, one being nuclear specific, and continues outreach at Waterford 3. Johnson hopes to continue her outreach in the future, specifically with high school students who are interested in the nuclear profession. She hopes the program will not only grow her communication skills for work, but also for advocating for nuclear energy to the public.

“A lot of people outside of the industry believe nuclear energy is too hard to understand, so they never try,” she said. “I want to communicate the basic science and educate people about why we need nuclear power. Once they understand the basics and how it is so important to our sustainable fuel mix, I believe more people will advocate for it.”

Johnson anticipates learning more about other departments throughout nuclear science during the program, leading to more cross-functional team opportunities at Entergy with her new understandings and vocabulary.

“I’m hoping I’ll learn skills and ideas to take back to Entergy with me,” she said. “There are so many opportunities for innovation through cross-functional teamwork we are possibly missing out on that I hope I can help foster.”

The International Atomic ���ϳԹ��� Agency, founded in 1957 and headquartered in Vienna, Austria, is self-described as, “the world’s central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear field.” The agency works with world-wide partners, including the United Nations, to “promote the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.”��

Qasim, who has worked at the station for three years, said his favorite part of working at Grand Gulf are the opportunities and enthusiasm for professional career development.

“I like that Grand Gulf takes the time to develop my professional career,” said Qasim. “Since starting my job here, I have been able to benchmark other sites, go to conferences and trainings and step into leadership roles.”

Qasim’s team works to monitor system health and develop preventative maintenance strategies to improve equipment reliability. ��As the NAYGN president,��he��wants to build a chapter that allows nuclear professionals to develop into leaders and network across the industry.��He also wants to be able to give back to the community through the organization.

Learn more about Entergy Nuclear by visiting����and follow on X/Twitter.

#MeetThePros

Leadership DeSoto is a program coordinated by the DeSoto County Economic Development Council to inform future leaders of the needs and challenges facing DeSoto County and inspire them to utilize the resources available to them to make a difference. For more than 25 years, Leadership DeSoto has helped leaders become involved in performing community service and improving the quality of life in DeSoto County.

Candidates are nominated by organizations, employers or individuals, or may apply on their own.  A selection committee chooses participants based on their community involvement, leadership capabilities and potential in their respective fields.

Johnston was named customer service manager for the Southaven area in 2021. He joined Entergy in 2015 as a lighting sales coordinator in Arkansas and moved into the same role in New Orleans before becoming a customer service manager for Entergy New Orleans. Before Entergy, Johnston spent more than 25 years at Memphis Light, Gas & Water, working in operations, customer service, economic development, residential services and marketing.

Johnston has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Memphis and an associate degree in electrical engineering technology from State Technical Institute at Memphis.

About Entergy Mississippi

Entergy Mississippi, LLC provides electricity to approximately 456,000 customers in 45 counties. Entergy Mississippi is a subsidiary of ���ϳԹ���, an integrated energy company engaged in electric power production, transmission and retail distribution operations. Entergy delivers electricity to 3 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy owns and operates one of the cleanest large-scale U.S. power generating fleets with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including 7,000 megawatts of nuclear power. Headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, Entergy has annual revenues of $10 billion and approximately 12,500 employees.

Denise McPherson, director, nuclear finance business partners, has experienced this commitment to leadership development first-hand. Earlier this year, McPherson attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Reactor Technology Course for Utility Executives, an intensive three-week program designed for leaders with non-nuclear background to learn the fundamentals of nuclear technology, and how critical safety functions work.

“I am appreciative of the opportunity to participate in the program, where most people in the class support nuclear organizations,” said McPherson. “I now have a greater knowledge and appreciation of the industry’s complexities from operations to oversight, which is why safety is so important. The course gave me a greater understanding of the benefits of nuclear energy and the role it plays in providing power to the world. It also helped reinforce the importance of our company and fleet’s vision of We Power Life.”

Candidates for this program come from diverse career backgrounds such as non-nuclear operations, finance, human resources, communications and law. The course has a clear purpose of increasing understanding of nuclear focused challenges and empowering them to take personal ownership in their roles as leaders.

For McPherson, who has been with the company for 17 years, being selected to attend the program afforded her the opportunity to be in a classroom setting with Rick Riley, senior vice president of distribution operations and assessment management, and other industry and regulatory leaders.

“Having Denise participate in this MIT program has not only helped her learn the details of the nuclear industry but is assisting her in being an even stronger leader with her finance team and the fleet,” said Donna Jacobs, senior vice president, Nuclear Strategy and Operations Services. “Denise had this course as part of her Individual Development Plan, which made it a perfect combination for her development and growth.”

Always Learning is an important value in the Nuclear Excellence Model ensuring Safety, Teamwork, Integrity, and Respect. The MIT Reactor Technology Course is one example of how Entergy Nuclear is empowering employees to excellence by fostering leadership development.

The Nuclear Excellence Model is a tool nuclear employees use to achieve common goals. It’s built around a set of values called “STAIR,” which includes Safety, Teamwork, Always Learning, Integrity and Respect.

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