Jerry Nappi Indian Point Energy Center jnappi@entergy.com (914) 254-7132
Entergy Employees to Discuss Veterans Hiring Issues on NBC’s Today Show
‘Hiring Our Heroes’ Veterans Employment Fair Set to Follow Later in the Week
Buchanan, N.Y. – Two
Entergy employees, Gary Taylor, group president of utility operations, and Mike
Wright, maintenance supervisor at Indian Point Energy Center, are scheduled to
be featured Monday on NBC’s Today show to discuss Entergy’s commitment
toveterans in the workplace.
Taylor and Wright were
recently interviewed by Tom Brokaw at Indian Point to highlight a national
campaign that connects military veterans with job opportunities. Entergy is one
of the newest members and a top-level Chairman’s Circle sponsor of the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes campaign.
Wright talked with
Brokaw about his Navy experience as a nuclear machinists' mate and ships diver
aboard the U.S.S. Dallas during Operation Desert Shield and how it prepared him
for a career in the nuclear power industry. He also discussed how his colleagues
at Indian Point supported his service in the New York Army National Guard in
both Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Entergy was there the
entire time, going above and beyond what is required by law to make sure that my
family was taken care of and any issues we had were solved in a timely manner,"
stated Wright. "My return to work was seamless and they always made me and my
family feel appreciated for our service."
Taylor, who is a driving
force behind Entergy’s new Hiring Our Heroes initiative, had a chance to discuss
Entergy’s philosophy with Brokaw.
“The jobless rate for
veterans between the ages of 18 to 24 has been roughly double the rate for their
nonmilitary peers,” said Taylor. “I am proud to be a part of this initiative
where we can play a role in doing right by our veterans. Not only is it the
right thing to do, it also makes good business sense to recruit these highly
trained and motivated individuals.
” Wright, who was hired
at Indian Point in 1992 as a nuclear mechanic, was deployed to Ground Zero after
the Sept.11 terrorist attacks to help provide security at bridges, tunnels and
power plants. Two years later, he was deployed to Iraq, where he spent a year as
the fire support officer and supervised a 10-person fire support unit. While in
Iraq, Wright's company helped build the Iraqi National Guard forces by
developing and implementing a basic combat training facility and course for
local recruits.
Wright returned from
Iraq in 2005 and resumed his duties as a nuclear instructor. He was again
deployed in 2008 to Afghanistan where he served as a field artillery mentor and
Command Sergeant Major Mentor for an Afghan Battalion. He returned from
Afghanistan in January 2009 and retired from the National Guard.
As a sponsor of the
Hiring Our Heroes campaign, Entergy will be participating in numerous veteran
employment fairs throughout the year. The campaign targets all unemployed
veterans but focuses on those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
On Wednesday, March 28,
Taylor and Wright will represent Entergy at a veterans employment fair aboard
the U.S.S. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in Manhattan.The job fair for
veteran job seekers, active duty military members, Guard and Reserve members,
and eligible spouses will be held from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
“We believe businesses
of all sizes have a duty to recruit the men and women who have made such
extraordinary sacrifices for our country. Just as importantly, Entergy and other
employers need the type of disciplined, organized and skilled workers you
regularly find among veterans,” added Taylor.
Entergy and the rest of
the utility industry face a growing challenge in the years ahead as members of
the Baby Boom head toward retirement. More than 50 percent of the industry’s
workforce is 45 years of age or older.
Entergy Corporation is
an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and
retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with
approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, and it is the
second-largest nuclear generator in the United States. Entergy delivers
electricity to 2.8 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi
and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of more than $11 billion and
approximately 15,000 employees.
