Meiners' replacement has long history with Entergy

Carolyn Shanks bas been chosen by Entergy's president and CEO Wayne Leonard to head up Entergy Mississippi when Don Meiners retires, after a 39-year tenure, next summer.

The announcement was made last week in Jackson. Shanks, 37, currently vice president of finance and administration of Entergy Nuclear, will assume the post next June.

"Don Meiners' strong leadership and passion for this business will be greatly missed," Leonard said. "Carolyn bringsseasoned business instincts, strong management skills, and a commitment to customer service that is consistent with the new back-to-basics direction of Entergy."

Shanks, who joined Mississippi Power & Light in 1983 as an accountant shortly after graduation from Mississippi State University, later transferred to System Energy Resources, Inc., the subsidiary responsible for operations of Grand Gulf Nuclear Station. There, Shanks was promoted to manager and directed internal business and budgeting processes.

Prior to serving in her current position since February 1997, Shanks was named director of business services for Entergy Operations, Inc., the subsidiary that manages all of Entergy's nuclear power plants.

In 1986, she oversaw the development of business plans that led to the consolidation of five nuclear units under one nuclear operating company at Entergy.

Achieving goals

"I set my sights on a career path, but I can honestly tell you this position was a little bit unexpected," Shanks said. "I had been progressing and focused on certain things in the company I wanted to do. I had gotten to the point where I had achieved a lot of what I had set for myself. In the last couple of years, I was in the process of resetting goals for myself. When this happened this year, it provided a very unique opportunity."

Entergy, an international company based in New Orleans that distributes energy to more than 2.5 million U.S. customers, was recently restructured to expand the state presidents' role in the state subsidiaries. Shanks will be responsible for the electric distribution system, customer service, economic development, and regulatory and governmental affairs for Entergy Mississippi.

"I am typically a hands-off manager," she said. "I like to have teams of people who work for me that are responsible for what they do and I depend on their expertise. I cannot be an expert in every area that's required."

Shanks was a key player in the formation of the new nuclear company in 1997 and recently played a major role in the acquisition of Boston Edison's Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth, Mass. The acquisition represented the first transaction through a competitive bid process to involve the purchase of a nuclear plant in the U.S.

The timing of the company's restructuring coincides with legislative hearings on the public service commission's proposed plan for deregulation. Under the proposal, customers could choose their electric supplier by the year 2000, and full retail competition will be allowed by the year 2001.

In Mississippi, Entergy covers the western part of the state, from Tunica to Natchez.

Entergy has come under fire from the PSC because of inadequate customer service. Slow response during last December's snowstorm triggered an investigation and the introduction in July of a six-point plan by the PSC to hold Entergy more accountable.

Customer service focus

Expanding the authority of Entergy's state presidents places emphasis on the company's refocused strategy -- customer service.

"(Carolyn) has an enthusiasm and energy level that is very contagious," Leonard said. "She will be a great leader for Entergy Mississippi."

Selected in 1997 as one of Mississippi's 50 Leading Business Women (a program sponsored by the Mississippi Business Journal, Shanks is involved in several state-wide and national trade associations.

"One of the things that I continue to believe is there are a lot of opportunities in Mississippi," said Shanks, a native Mississippian. "I was born and educated in Mississippi where there are very good systems and a lot of potential. I'm very proud of the fact that I've had opportunities in Mississippi."

Copyright Mississippi Business Journal Dec 21, 1998
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