“Our success during this time of growth requires all facets of our business to work in lockstep with one another internally, as well as with our external stakeholders. Our relationships with the Mississippi Public Service Commission and staff are key to achieving regulatory outcomes that support our customers’ needs,” said Haley Fisackerly, Entergy Mississippi president and CEO.

“Tianna’s counsel has been vital to many of our successes over recent years, including landing Amazon Web Services, bringing significant value to our customers. Her deep knowledge of the company and the regulatory environment, as well as her stellar leadership, will position us for a seamless transition as we embark on the next chapter of our transformation.”

In addition to managing relationships with our regulatory authorities, Raby will set the company’s regulatory strategy, including stakeholder engagement for regulatory issues, and lead efforts to manage cases before the Commission to ensure Entergy Mississippi’s rates remain affordable for customers.

Raby joined Entergy’s legal department in 2014 as senior counsel in the litigation group and later became managing counsel. While in litigation, she managed casualty and commercial litigation matters. Raby later moved to serve as managing counsel in legal regulatory and was promoted to assistant general counsel in 2020. Before joining Entergy, she was a partner in the Jackson office of a civil litigation defense firm where she defended clients in a wide spectrum of claims.

She graduated from Howard University with a bachelor’s degree in human communications and earned her Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University. Raby is a member of both the Mississippi State Bar and the Louisiana State Bar.

As an active community volunteer, Raby supports the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyer Program and serves on the Advisory Council for the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Jack and Jill of America, Inc., The Links, Inc., and the Junior League of Jackson.

Raby succeeds Jeremy Vanderloo, who was appointed vice president of business operations and strategy earlier this year.

About Entergy Mississippi

Entergy Mississippi, LLC provides electricity to approximately 459,000 customers in 45 counties. Entergy Mississippi is a subsidiary of ���ϳԹ���. Entergy produces, transmits and distributes electricity to power life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing for growth and improved reliability and resilience of our energy system while working to keep energy rates affordable for our customers. We’re also investing in cleaner energy generation like modern natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy. A nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship, we deliver more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to the communities we serve through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at����and connect with��@EntergyMS��on social media.

For those of us who have seen one too many movies featuring mobsters, the term “fixer” might have a nefarious connotation. However, for Entergy Mississippi team member Andrew Hearn’s daughter, it describes what her father does for a living and what she wants to do when she grows up. As a serviceman in the Rankin network, Hearn is often called out to “fix things” and restore power to customers following storms or other power interruptions.

Having worked with Entergy for more than 20 years, Hearn has a tremendous amount of experience keeping the lights on, serving in the Madison network, the Jackson network, the Distribution Operations Center and, for the past several years, the Rankin network. Throughout his time at Entergy, from the training he received during the three-month boot camp at Entergy’s Knowledge and Skills Training Center in Clinton to his current work, safety has been stressed.

“The trainers stress safety from day one,” said Hearn. “They would teach what to do and how to do it safely. We want to go home at the end of the day and they want us to return to our families, so they preach safety.”

Hearn’s family, including his wife, Melissa, and daughters, Reagan and Ellery, is at the heart of the reason that safety is so important to him. They know how hard he works and when he is called at night or on weekends to restore power for other families. Ellery takes it especially hard when he leaves but is very proud of the work he does.

“She always makes it a point to tell me to be careful,” said Hearn. A talented artist, Ellery loves to draw and has given him artistic reminders to be safe that he carries in his truck.

Hearn has long admired custom-made glove and sleeve bags but found they were not very budget-friendly. Instead of ordering an expensive custom bag, he took a standard-issue glove and sleeve bag and gave Ellery the opportunity to customize it for him. While her only instructions were to have fun, her artistic touch did more than make the bag more attractive, it also reinforced the safety messages that are stressed on the job each day, with the phrases “Be safe, Daddy” and “I ♥ you” added along with the butterflies, stars and hearts she drew on the bag.

“I love my job, but my family is the reason I do it,” said Hearn. “My family is my life.”

It is often said that “experience is the teacher of all things.” This is especially true when it comes to safety, which Hearn learned first-hand. Four years ago, he was involved in a serious accident and spent 13 days in the hospital and six months recuperating before returning to work.

“I take a lot of pride in my work and in doing it right,” said Hearn. “I missed something and made an error. I was fortunate to walk away, eventually, but that day opened my eyes.”

That experience and others during his 20+ years in the industry have shaped him so that he lives safely and shares the gospel of safety with others, starting with his family and reminding them to be safe. He provides his daughter with her own PPE—a yellow safety vest and gloves—when she helps him with tasks outdoors. She wears them with pride.

He also helps give Arcs and Sparks demonstrations in the community, helping both children and adults understand the importance of respecting electricity and how to stay safe around power lines. He serves as the safety chairperson for the Rankin office and previously served as a representative on Entergy’s Health and Safety Board. He has good advice for those just starting out in the field.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions or stop work if something doesn’t feel right,” said Hearn. “Don’t cut corners. Use the safety tools provided by the company and take your time to do it right.”

And he always remembers the reason for doing his tasks the right, and safe, way.

“I work safely so I can come home every day.”

JACKSON, Miss. – Entergy Mississippi is welcoming three new executives to lead all power plant operations, reliability and business operations across the company’s service area. The appointments come as Entergy executes transformative milestones in the company’s history, including building a����in the Mississippi Delta.

The new executives include Lee Alexander, vice president of power plant operations, Kamisha Quates, vice president of reliability and Jeremy Vanderloo, vice president of business operations and strategy. They collectively bring more than 60 years of utility experience in operations, maintenance, project management, system planning, environmental standards, asset implementation, regulatory and public affairs.

“Lee, Kamisha and Jeremy have a wealth of knowledge that we’re lucky to have on our lead team,” said Haley Fisacklerly, president and CEO. “We’re at a critical moment with the construction of the Delta Blues Advanced Power Station and the retirement of the Gerald Andrus Steam Electric Station, and Lee will be an asset in this transition. As we continue to strengthen our grid for the future, Kamisha’s leadership will ensure power reliability for all of our customers. Jeremy has been integral to many of the recent significant milestones that have positioned us for this growth which will make lasting, positive change in our state.”

Alexander has overall responsibility for safely managing and operating Entergy Mississippi’s non-nuclear power generation fleets.

Prior to his new appointment, he served as senior manager, where he oversaw plant operations at Hinds and Attala Power Stations. He also managed the Baxter Wilson Power Station, and oversaw the demolition and decommissioning of the plant, alongside the Rex Brown Power Station. Alexander joined Entergy in 1998 and has held numerous positions over the years, including operator, technician, maintenance supervisor, process superintendent, and production superintendent.

He succeeds Demitrius Davis, who was recently named vice president of power plant operations for Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans.

Quates is responsible for overseeing safety, operations, construction, reliability improvement, engineering, asset planning, distribution dispatching, meter services, contract management, and emergency restoration for the company’s transmission and distribution systems.

She previously served as director of regulatory and strategic initiatives in system planning for Entergy. Prior to joining Entergy, she worked for Southern Company, leading asset and environmental planning, renewable generation development and asset implementation, among various other leadership roles in the organization. She has a bachelor’s degree in engineering and a master’s degree of business administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Quates steps in for Shawn Corkran, who retired in February 2025.

Vanderloo will lead the development of the company’s overall strategy to drive more growth and enhance operations, while working collaboratively across the corporation to achieve strategic objectives and execute key initiatives.

He joined Entergy’s legal department in 2009. He was promoted to vice president of regulatory affairs in 2019 where he led Entergy’s regulatory organization. In 2023, Vanderloo also assumed leadership of the public affairs group.�� Before joining Entergy, Vanderloo practiced electric utility regulatory and employee benefits law with Wise Carter Child & Caraway, P.A.

Vanderloo graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering and went on to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps, attaining the rank of major. He also earned both his Juris Doctor and MBA from Mississippi College.

These appointments reflect Entergy Mississippi’s continued commitment to becoming a premier utility provider.

About Entergy Mississippi

Entergy Mississippi provides electricity to approximately 459,000 customers in 45 counties. Entergy Mississippi is a subsidiary of ���ϳԹ���, a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than��, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy Mississippi, visit the����and connect with��@EntergyMS��on social media.

Mississippians braced for the possibility of a����thunderstorm well before March 15, and so did Entergy Mississippi by putting crews on standby across the company’s 45-county service area. Preparing for the worst while hoping for the best is a constant in our storm readiness plans. The preparation proved to be needed, since the tornado outbreak spawned 18 twisters over two days in the state, according to the��.

The deadly weather event slung debris across several rural communities, damaging the electric grid and causing power outages in its path. While the peak – or most number of customers without power at once – reached 9,200, the supercell caused more than 23,900 power interrupts in total. The hardest hit areas in the company’s footprint were Elliott and Tylertown – both are served by local Entergy offices that had gone years without seeing the level of destruction to the distribution system that occurred.

“Hurricane Katrina was the last time I’ve seen damage this bad near McComb,” said Mark White, a line supervisor who has been with Entergy for 35 years. The McComb office serves Tylertown, so White and his crews were part of the first to respond after two tornadoes came through on that fateful Saturday. The National Weather Service rated them as EF-3 and EF-4.

“It passed the same circuit on Nat G. Trout Road four times. You could tell just by the pattern of the damage,” line supervisor Robert Bell said of the tornado’s path in Elliott.

In total, Entergy Mississippi recorded damage to 316 distribution poles, 57 transformers, 224 crossarms, and 27 miles of wire. “The pole count alone is five times as many than any other storm we’ve recently tackled,” said Joshua Vance, senior manager, operations and construction. “Originally, reports reflected fewer damages, but upon debris removal and gaining access to the heaviest impacted areas, we identified additional facilities that needed repair.”

Transmission equipment also took a big hit, as winds twisted 34 structures to the ground, including five steel poles that had recently been replaced and six large steel lattice towers. “All of this was crumbled to the ground in a mangled mess. The debris ranged from trees to vehicles and pieces of houses that were thrown onto our transmission lines,” said Matt Doss, manager, transmission lines.

With devastation all around, more than 860 workers, including linemen, tree trimmers, contractors and personnel focused their attention and restored power to a vast majority of the impacted customers by Sunday, March 16, and all customers who could safely receive power by Wednesday, March 19.

Meeting the challenge

The weather brought special challenges that crews conquered as swiftly and safely as possible.

“The storm systems came through at staggered times, creating a situation where we had to wait until it was clear to send our teams out,” said Vance.

Often following severe weather, continued high winds keep crews from safely using bucket trucks. Fortunately, once both systems passed, clear skies and minimal wind allowed them to spring into action. But not before meeting a second challenge – debris-filled roads.

They met it by working with community support organizations, law enforcement, emergency management, and other first responders to gain right-of-way access and ensure the workforce and the public were carefully navigating the hazardous areas.

Crews made significant repairs in amazing time throughout this restoration effort. The concentrated damages allowed crews to focus on entire lines.

“In just one day, they set 125 poles in the Elliott, Indianola, and Tylertown areas. That’s fantastic work that was done diligently and, most importantly, safely,” said Vance.

“We made sure we had enough people ready to help on the larger projects, and we had some really great guys alongside our crews – some from Illinois and Kentucky,” said Bell, who works out of the Grenada office that serves Elliot.

Crews restored power to all substations the day after the storm hit – a huge accomplishment given the damage. “We had one crew replace three destroyed structures. This line was patrolled within hours of the storm passing. We had the design done overnight and material along with a crew arriving very early the next morning to start work. The team did excellent work to prioritize the customer outages and respond accordingly,” said Doss.

Resources are key

Whether it’s manpower or machinery, having the right tools and the right skills on deck is key to a swift restoration.

A new Entergy-owned helicopter was called to action early Sunday��to perform its very first patrol flight. Along with another contract helicopter, crews simultaneously patrolled damage. These helicopters were crucial to transmission crews because obstacles prevented an efficient ground patrol in some areas.

While having a bird’s-eye view helped in some parts of the state, water navigation was needed in others. “We enlisted the help of the game warden, who brought us a boat to pull wire across the Bogue Chitto River. It’s not common at all, but it was right where the tornado came through,” said White.

On land, cranes, bulldozers, backhoes, and track buckets were scattered across the state, helping teams access a variety of difficult terrain where bucket trucks alone couldn’t go.

Rebuilding with customer focus

The crews focused on customers throughout the restoration process, rebuilding with stronger materials and standards that are more stringent than ever.

While power has been returned to all customers, crews haven’t stopped working. The restoration process is still ongoing. Transmission teams continue to make repairs��while power is safely rerouted on the grid. Despite the size of the structures, destructive nature of the damage and complexity of the restoration, all but one transmission line was restored by Thursday, March 20.

“As our region faces more frequent and more damaging storms, our crews have the opportunity to continue building on our strong storm response skills,” said Haley Fisackerly, president and CEO. “I’m extremely proud of the teamwork displayed throughout this restoration effort. Not only was it done safely, but it was done with the customer at the top of mind.”

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” is an often-quoted Chinese proverb credited to philosopher Lao Tzu. For Entergy Mississippi team member Quintaurus Wright, it is more than just a quote. He is living proof that small steps can lead to incredible results.

A planner/scheduler in Jackson, Wright stays busy scheduling work for large construction projects and wasn’t sure he had time to attend the annual health screening held last year at his office. While he had attended some of the health screenings in the past, it had been four or five years since the last one.

Lucky for him, friends and fellow employees knew the importance of getting your “numbers,” the readings from high blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol tests usually administered at the health screenings. These tests can provide crucial information about someone’s health. His friends strongly encouraged him—some might say twisted his arm—to attend the health screening. With this encouragement, he took the first step in his journey—signing up for the health screening.

When he took his second step, attending the health screening, he knew his blood pressure might be high, as it had been in the past. However, he didn’t expect what happened next. The health professionals looked at his numbers and told him that his glucose reading was very high. It was so high, in fact, that he might be diabetic and suggested that he seek additional medical guidance.

Wright then made an appointment with a local physician, who diagnosed him with Type 2 diabetes, put him on medication and suggested that he adopt a healthy diet and incorporate exercise into his activities.

“The diabetes diagnosis really woke me up and opened my eyes,” said Wright. “It made me think of my family and the family members I had lost due to the disease. I began eating right and exercising. I took it very seriously.”

Now, Wright takes steps every day to lead a healthy life. He stays away from fried foods, sweets and sweetened, carbonated beverages. He limits the carbohydrates he includes in his meals and replaced the bread he used to buy with a low-carb option.

He enjoys a variety of different types of exercises, including strength training, walking indoors on a treadmill, walking outdoors when the weather permits and riding a bicycle.

“It was hard at first, giving up the foods I loved and my favorite drink, pineapple Crush,” said Wright. “But I was focused. I wanted to live for my children and my family. I am so thankful for the people in my life that cared.”

These small and not-so-small steps have resulted in significant changes. His numbers continue to improve. His once-monthly visits to the doctor were reduced to every three months. At his last visit, just a couple of weeks ago, the doctor told him he could wait six months before his next appointment. The doctor has taken him off one of his three medications.

He feels better and sleeps better. He is no longer always thirsty—a symptom of the diabetes that he did not recognize as such prior to the health screenings. The numbers on the scales have changed dramatically. Wright has dropped from 345 pounds prior to his lifestyle changes to his current weight of 235 pounds.

“My co-workers no longer call me ‘Big Q,’” said Wright. “They now call me ‘lowercase q.’”

His advice for anyone who has access to health screenings?

“Do the health screenings. You never know what’s going on within the body. If it weren’t for the health screening, I wouldn’t be living a healthier life today. I will forever go to any we have in the future and I’m so grateful to my friends that encouraged me to go last year.”

Wright recently celebrated his birthday and, this year, he and his wife, Lakendra, a teacher in Byram, and their three daughters, Shaquondra, Shataria, and Quintaria, had a lot to celebrate. His lifestyle changes have given all of them the greatest gift of all—many more birthdays with their husband and father.

From our power plants and operations centers to regulatory teams and capital projects, engineers are an indispensable part of the Entergy team. Across the company, these professionals collaborate on a journey to make Entergy the premier utility.

Founded in 1951, EWeek is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers. This year’s theme “Design Your Future” is about celebrating engineers and engaging students.

As we celebrate the accomplishments of engineers past and present who have designed the future we currently live in, we also look to the next generation and how we can inspire kids to pursue engineering careers that will be focused on designing our future. Join Entergy and engineering peers from around the world as we celebrate this important profession. Learn more about how you can help inspire future innovators by visiting��.

As part of the celebration, we are spotlighting a few of our engineers this week and sharing their stories through social media. Meet a few of Entergy Mississippi’s outstanding engineers:

Brennan Anderson

Brennan Anderson��is a senior engineer for the Mississippi grid transmission line and is based in the Flora Transmission Office. He holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in civil engineering, both from Mississippi State University.

Why did you choose engineering as a profession? ��

I chose civil engineering because I have always loved building things and solving problems, even from a young age.�� Engineering allows me to combine analytical thinking with teamwork, working alongside others from a variety of professions.�� Most importantly, engineering has given me the opportunity to be part of solutions that positively impact communities and improve people’s lives.

What do you like best about your work with Entergy Mississippi?

What I like best is knowing that the work we do here at Entergy has a direct impact on the individuals and communities we serve.�� Whether developing new infrastructure, performing maintenance on existing systems, or responding to emergencies, We Power Life. That’s a good feeling.

What advice would you give to an aspiring engineer?

Get the experience – go on the field visit; spend time in the shop; ride along with more senior coworkers; visit the construction sites – be a sponge.�� It will pay off.

Blake Brown

An engineer working out of the Vicksburg office, Blake Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Mississippi State University.

Why did you choose engineering as a profession? ��

Engineering gave me the tools to solve technical problems and implement the solutions in my day to day life.

What do you like best about your work with Entergy Mississippi?

My coworkers and the people I have met through the company

What advice would you give to an aspiring engineer?

Be open and willing to talk to people at all levels of the company and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Lucas Simmons

Lucas Simmons works out of the Transmission Headquarters Building in Jackson and serves as a construction engineer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in industrial and systems engineering, both from Mississippi State University. He also holds a diploma in Intensive Brewing Science and Engineering from the American Brewer’s Guild.

Why did you choose engineering as a profession?

I have always had a knack for problem solving, breaking things down to find out how they work and using that to fix them or improve them. Engineering allows me to do this as a profession.

What do you like best about your work with Entergy Mississippi?

The best part of working within Entergy’s Capital Projects is that it gives me the opportunity to work with a diverse team on a myriad of different size and type projects. When an issue arrives, it’s always interesting to see everyone’s perspective into solving it.

What advice would you give to an aspiring engineer?

Never stop learning, and never stop asking questions. We never know what we don’t know and the only way to fill that gap is to always be inquisitive.

Robert Sneed

Robert Sneed holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Mississippi State University and works as a field engineer. He is based in the DeSoto Service Center in Nesbit.

Why did you choose engineering as a profession?

I grew up on a farm, always liked working with my hands, coming up with tools to make tasks easier, and enjoyed math most out of the other subjects in high school so I decided to go with mechanical engineering.

What do you like best about your work with Entergy Mississippi?

I really enjoy the flexibility of being able to work inside and outside compared to other engineering jobs that are based mainly on working inside. I also enjoy being able to stay local and work with/help the community that I grew up in on various projects.

What advice would you give to an aspiring engineer?

There are many different Engineering majors to pursue so choose one that you think best aligns with your interests and then look at job openings locally and where you may want to move to and live. This way you can get a feel for what your major will have you doing after graduation. Another great opportunity that most colleges offer is a CO-OP/ Internship program, I would definitely recommend taking advantage of these and looking at the different kind of career paths you can enter and may have some applicable work experience by time you graduate to set you apart.

Many brides follow the wedding traditions of “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” But how many brides add “something for others” to the tradition?

Megha Makol, Analyst II, Entergy Mississippi, made giving back a priority on her wedding day, joining volunteers for Entergy Mississippi’s signature Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Caring event, held recently in partnership with Extra Table FEEDS.

While growing up in India, Makol learned the tradition of beginning days of celebration by giving back to others and donating to the less fortunate.

“When I was growing up, my parents taught me that when something good happens, you show gratitude by helping others,” said Makol. “When I saw the volunteer opportunity was scheduled for the same day as our wedding, I immediately wanted to serve.”

After Makol and her husband, Matthew Grantham, were married at the courthouse, she joined other Entergy Mississippi volunteers at First Baptist Church in Jackson for the meal-packing event with Extra Table FEEDS. The volunteers packed 10,000 meal boxes, helping to feed families across the state. The meal boxes were picked up by area food banks to be shared with neighbors in need.

Makol and Grantham met through mutual friends and a first date over sushi led to dating for three years before getting married. After purchasing a home in Brandon, the two were married at the courthouse on Jan. 16 but also held a ceremony at the Hindu temple in Jackson on Feb. 7 with friends and family, some of whom flew in from India to be part of the celebration.

Makol earned her undergraduate degree in India, then came to the United States to earn her master’s degree at Mississippi College and began working with Entergy Mississippi as a student intern. After completing her internship, she was offered a full-time position and has since completed three master’s degrees, in business administration, accounting, and finance. She works as an analyst in the operations and construction area. In this role, she generates project codes and helps identify ways to control expenses both for the operating company and Entergy as a whole, serving on a tiger team with analysts from each OpCo to identify ways to keep costs as low as possible.

Makol enjoys volunteering on projects in partnership with Extra Table and also lends her expertise to help customers with their tax forms at Super Tax Day events. She serves on the Entergy Mississippi Lineman Rodeo committee and looks for other opportunities to serve through Entergy’s volunteer engagement portal. She also volunteers at her temple, where she helps gather and distribute food to those in need.

“Giving back is part of our culture,” said Makol. “At Entergy, I am not ashamed to bring my Indian heritage to work. I feel like the people at Entergy are polishing me into a better person. I am proud of the volunteer efforts and expectations at the company.”

Volunteering��is one of the most important ways Entergy employees��. In 2023, employees in Mississippi dedicated more than 18,700 hours of volunteer service valued at $598,000.

Makol’s inspiring example serves as a reminder that carving out a few hours to give back is a wonderful way to celebrate the important milestones and appreciate the good fortune and incredible gifts we enjoy in our lives.

“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.��

Justin manages the damage prediction program, which plays a crucial role in Entergy’s response to storms. As the liaison to StormGeo, Entergy’s contracted weather service provider, he ensures the company is equipped with forecasts and historical weather data to help leadership make operational decisions for storm response.

Justin has a pivotal role in helping customers and the company plan for and respond to storms. Through his damage predictions and forecasting data, leadership can make informed decisions to place crews safely out of harm’s way ahead of the storm, but close enough to be able to move into the affected areas immediately after the storm to start restoring power.��

“When we get the damage prediction right, we know how many resources we need to request to be able to restore power quickly and efficiently,” said Justin. “If we don’t order enough resources or don’t have them in the right areas, it takes longer to restore power for customers.”

As the incident response lessons learned program manager, he champions a culture of continuous improvement alongside Entergy’s corrective action program team, leveraging lessons learned from past events and exercises to respond to future challenges efficiently. He ensures gaps or areas for improvement are acknowledged, recorded and closed or improved with appropriate actions.��

Justin began working with Entergy in 2017 as an incident response specialist after serving for 10 years as a detective at the Madison Police Department.��

��Justin says he enjoys working for Entergy because of its diversity and its commitment to create an inclusive and engaging work environment for all employees.��

“When I was growing up, my father who worked for Entergy spoke highly about the company because of the opportunities and the people he worked with,” Justin said. “He always said that leadership cared for their employees. Every time I spoke with someone about Entergy, they said the same things as my father.��

“When I first came onboard, I was shocked in a good way about how everyone works so well together and helps each other to achieve our goals. Incident response management cares about individual success. They give room to make important decisions and solve problems, which allows me to learn and engage with important business functions.”

Justin also enjoys his role because his work directly impacts our customers by restoring power as quickly and safely as possible after storms.��

“Weather is such an interesting subject that is very important to Entergy,” he said. “It’s very easy to love this job because I believe in the work we are doing to help our customers keep their lights on by preparing for and responding to incidents.”

Justin explained what accountability and ownership of responsibility mean to him, two important aspects of the work culture at Entergy.��

“Accountability is showing up and doing what you said you would do,” he said. “It means trusting colleagues by counting on each other and standing behind the results of our hard work. We are held to a certain standard of excellence here and I am thrilled to be able to deliver excellence with my team.”

Outside of work, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and dog, building computers, flying drones, getting tattoos, gaming with his friends and riding motorcycles with his family.��

The Entergy Kent Hull Lineman of the Year Award is given annually to the best collegiate offensive lineman in Mississippi who most displays the strength, quickness, toughness, intelligence, intense work ethic and humility that Greenwood native Kent Hull displayed when he played on the Mississippi State University and the Buffalo Bills football teams and when he created the Hull Foundation, whose mission is raising funds to support organizations serving the needs of less fortunate children, specifically in Mississippi. When the Kent Hull Award is presented to the football team member on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving each year, Entergy Mississippi also selects one of our all-star linemen to be recognized for outstanding work in the field. This year, Cedrick Jackson, a shift serviceman in the Indianola office, was selected because of his hard work, dedication and service to customers.

“Cedrick is a hard worker who is always willing to go the extra mile for our customers,“ said Kezwick Akon, line supervisor for the Indianola office. “In addition to setting a good example, he is also willing to take extra time to help our new linemen learn the ropes and answer any questions they may have.”

With more than 20 years of experience with Entergy, Jackson began working as a trainee in the Greenville network following 12 weeks of initial training at the Entergy training center in Clinton. While in Greenville, he became a lineman in 2006 and then transferred to the Indianola office in the Cleveland network the following year.

For several years, he worked on reliability projects that included inspecting the lines, making repairs and coordinating more extensive repairs with Entergy employees in Jackson. After working as a troubleman, he became a shift serviceman. In this role, he handles regular work orders, installs meters and responds when a call comes in from a customer in his territory, which covers Indianola south to Yazoo City. He is the first one to go and determine the source of the trouble.

Helping customers tops the lists of what Jackson enjoys about his job.

“When a customer has a problem and I’m able to correct the problem and have a nice conversation with the customer—that’s what I really enjoy,” said Jackson. “I was always taught to help people. If you can help them, you should help them.”

In addition to helping Entergy Mississippi customers, he has served on mutual assistance crews after hurricanes, with work in Tampa, Florida being among the most memorable.

“We went to Florida to work on power restoration after a hurricane with a crew from Greenville,” said Jackson. “We worked with guys from Tampa Electric and they were very, very nice to us.”

A graduate of Mississippi Valley State University, Jackson and his wife reside in Inverness with their two daughters. In addition to volunteering at school and church, he also enjoys hunting, helping on the family farm and traveling with his family.