Working in the steam plant of an aircraft carrier, Johnny Nesmith understood the importance of knowing his job and trusting the people beside him. Today, those same principles guide his work as an Entergy Texas substation technician in the Conroe network.

That commitment to his work and teammates earned Nesmith recognition as Entergy Texas’ Lineman of the Game during the New Orleans Saints’ matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 27. The program, a partnership between Entergy and the Saints, celebrates employees for their job performance, commitment to safety and service to their communities.

For Nesmith, the recognition highlights a career built on service, curiosity and the relationships formed along the way.

“We have each other’s backs,” Nesmith said. “We ask questions and make sure everyone is on the same page. I enjoy helping the people I work with, and they help me. It’s all about trust.”

At 19, Nesmith left Houston to join the U.S. Navy. He served for four years based in San Diego, working as a machinist’s mate aboard an aircraft carrier.

His work took him deep inside the ship, where he helped operate its steam plant. Deployments meant months at sea aboard a vessel carrying more than 5,000 people, but they also gave him the opportunity to see the world. His travels included stops in India, Korea, Australia and Hawaii.

The technical experience he gained in the Navy helped him begin a civilian career working at hydroelectric plants in California. It was also where he met his wife, Gabriella.

In 2008, the couple moved to Texas to help care for his father, who had Alzheimer’s disease. Nesmith began working as an Entergy contractor reading meters, then joined Entergy full time in 2015, moving into substation work.

Today, Nesmith helps maintain the substations that are essential to delivering reliable power to homes and businesses in Conroe.

“I love working with substations,” Nesmith said. “I’m surrounded by great people, and I never stop learning.”

That willingness to learn goes hand in hand with the respect he has for his teammates and the responsibility they share. Asking questions, communicating clearly and looking out for one another are part of how they approach the job every day.

“Johnny’s commitment to learning and looking out for his teammates reflects the kind of employee we’re proud to recognize,” said Frank Shannon, vice president of reliability for Entergy Texas. “The work he and our substation teams do is essential to keeping power flowing safely and reliably for our customers.”

For Nesmith, the most rewarding parts of the job remain close to home: helping others, working with people he respects and continuing to learn a trade he enjoys.

From his years at sea to his work in Conroe, he has built a career around a shared responsibility to the people counting on him. This past weekend, that service earned him a moment in the spotlight.