The phrase “we power life” took on a dramatic new meaning for Joseph Wiggs in March 2026.

Wiggs, plant manager at Hinds Energy Facility in Jackson, sprang into action and saved the life of a fellow lunch patron at a restaurant. Wiggs and his colleague Ryan Merideth, manager of Delta Blues Advanced Power Staton, were having lunch at Scoop’s Ice Cream and Grille in Greenville. There, they noticed a man showing signs of distress. After the man signaled he needed help, Wiggs successfully performed the Heimlich maneuver and dislodged an obstruction from the man’s throat.

Wiggs, a native of Crystal Springs, Mississippi, joined the company in 2014. He became Hinds plant manager in November 2025. He said he was grateful to have received several types of medical training through Entergy Mississippi, including first aid and CPR qualifications, as well as some advanced medical training as part of a company-sponsored emergency medical response program.

“I was happy I could help the guy,” Wiggs said. “It meant that somebody got to go home to their family that day alive and well. I know that most of our employees would do the same thing without hesitation. Our company calls us to be situationally aware and ready to help people every day.”

To honor Wiggs for his heroic actions, he received the President’s Lifesaving Award June 11 at the Central Region employee meeting in Jackson from Haley Fisackerly, president and CEO of Entergy Mississippi. The award is presented to any individual who performs and acts through heroism or risk to self which is directly instrumental in the saving or protecting of a life.

“We’re proud of Joseph for his selfless response to a scary situation,” Fisackerly said. “I’m impressed, but not surprised, that he was ready and willing to help someone in trouble.”