| Entergy Corporation |
639 Loyola Avenue,
New Orleans,
LA
70113 |
|
www.entergy.com
|
(504) 529-5262
Fax: (504) 576-4428
|
 |
|
~
Power based
In 1990, Middle South Utilities changed its name to Entergy and began consolidating its five major utilities to reduce expenses and improve profits. Today, Entergy serves 2.4 million customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. The New Orleans-based holding company sells electricity generated by 25 fossil fuel plants and four nuclear facilities in those states, and is the leading supplier of power in the region. Entergy has aggressively expanded overseas, where it serves an estimated 1.4 million customers. More recently, the company has been diversifying, and has entered the security monitoring and telecommunications businesses. While Entergy's restructuring has placed the company on sounder footing, about 30 percent of its core employees were the victims of downsizing between 1991 and 1995. Also, due to the 1998 introduction of a new program by CEO J. Wayne Leonard called Entergy Renewal, employees continue to be laid off. Leonard is hoping that the new program will dramatically reduce Entergy's operating costs.
Creating nuclear power
Entergy has been refocusing its nuclear strategy in an attempt to become a national nuclear generator. To achieve this goal, Entergy acquired Boston Edison's Pilgrim nuclear station for $80 million in 1998. In its attempt to focus more on its core businesses and less on competitive ones, in 1999 the company also sold its local exchange carriers in Baton Rouge, LA and Little Rock, AR to its partner Hyperion Communication for $36 million. Furthermore, Entergy Nuclear, a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, won a contract in 1999 to oversee the closing of a Connecticut-based nuclear power plant. It has also purchased two power plants in New York State for $976 million. Entergy plans on spending $9.8 billion in the next five years to improve customer service, and to build and buy power plants and nuclear reactors. This is in addition to a $1 billion company Entergy has created with Koch L.P. that will deliver, market and trade power, natural gas and other energies.
|
|
Entergy's employment web page, located at www.entergy.com/careers, details career opportunities in various areas of the company, including specific current openings and their locations. Entergy divides its web page between those jobs suitable for recent college graduates and those positions requiring experienced professionals. Entergy accepts online resume submissions and provides an e-mail address at careers@entergy.com for applicants desiring to know more about a particular position before applying. Insiders from the IT department claim that "candidates are screened by phone before being brought in for interviews" and warn that once selected, "interviews are rather intense."
|
|
Entergy's "aggressive," "global" stance toward the energy market makes it a "dynamic," "challenging" place to work, employees say. "Top-notch" training, flexible work schedules, and quarterly bonuses all contribute to employee satisfaction. As one of the "most prestigious corporations headquartered in New Orleans," Entergy employees cite the city as a "perk in itself." Other perks include an "above average" salary and the ability to take off every other Friday by working extended hours during the rest of the week. Entergy insiders claim that "there aren't many employers in the region that offer comparable pay and benefits." The dress code, although varying by department, is slightly relaxed as well with many employees wearing "golf-type shirts with the Entergy logo and department name."
However, past downsizing efforts have had their effect on morale. Some employees comment that they are "tired" of the "constant reorganization" and feel as if "deregulation is looming." One points out that he has had "nine bosses in seven years." Another insider notes that the company "has hired very bright young college graduates in recent years" but because of "many rounds of recent layoffs" the new employees are leaving. Entergy insiders note, however, that some of the change is good. "In a presentation from our new CEO in February, he said we needed diversity," states one Entergy insider. "I have seen this company grow into a very diverse and popular organization" claims another. Plus, in the power and utilities industry, many employees still believe "Entergy is known as one of the best worldwide."
|
|
Human Resources
Electric services;Natural gas services;Steam operations
Sithe Energies
More Company Profiles
For more career information, go to Vault.com
©2000, Vault.com Inc
|
|
