Leadership

John R. McGaha, President
Entergy Nuclear Planning, Development and Oversight

John R. McGaha was named president of planning, development and oversight for Entergy Nuclear in February 2007. Reporting to McGaha are three vice presidents whose functional responsibilities and organizations comprise planning and innovation; business development and new plant activities; and oversight. McGaha also has organizational responsibility for ensuring that Entergy Nuclear fully realizes and leverages its fleet advantages. 

Previously and since 2000, McGaha had been president with responsibility for the five nuclear units at four plant sites in Entergy’s retail electric service area: two-units at Arkansas Nuclear One and single units at Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, River Bend Station and Waterford 3. His responsibilities in that role included regular interfaces with executives of the Entergy subsidiary owner companies as well as with various corporate center functions.

McGaha is an active participant in nuclear industry initiatives that contribute to continuous improvement and excellence. He has multiple current and past roles on executive committees, advisory councils and working groups of the Nuclear Energy Institute, the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations and the American Nuclear Society. 

McGaha has nearly 30 years of experience with Entergy’s nuclear program. He started his Entergy career in 1978 at the Waterford 3 plant in Taft, La., near New Orleans, advancing to the position of general manager of plant operations.

McGaha was promoted to vice president of operations support for Entergy Nuclear South in 1991, coordinating support services for all the nuclear units at the company's nuclear headquarters in Jackson, Miss. Concurrent with Entergy’s December 1993 merger with Gulf States Utilities, McGaha was named vice president of River Bend Station in St. Francisville, La., where performance in most industry indicators was lagging. Under McGaha’s leadership, the plant was integrated into Entergy Nuclear South, and major improvement plans were developed and implemented that set the plant on an impressive improving trend.

McGaha was promoted in September 1998 to executive vice president and chief operating officer of Entergy Nuclear South.

Before joining Entergy, McGaha was an electrical design engineer for Brown & Root, Inc. for three years, and he served in the U.S. Navy nuclear submarine program for five years. In 1994, he retired from the U.S. Naval Reserve with the rank of captain.

McGaha is a graduate of Tulane University in New Orleans with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering, and he has completed Harvard University's Advanced Management Program. He is a registered professional engineer and received his senior reactor operator management certification at Waterford 3.

Updated 8/07