Entergy, U.S. Chamber Of Commerce Join Forces To Hire More Military Veterans

NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR) is taking a lead role in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's "Hiring Our Heroes"  nationwide campaign to connect 100,000 veterans with job opportunities.

Entergy has signed on as a top sponsor of the hiring campaign, which targets all unemployed veterans but focuses on those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The drive's latest job fair will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Organizers expect more than 500 veterans will attend.

"We believe businesses of all sizes have a duty to recruit the men and women who have made such extraordinary sacrifices for our country. Just as importantly, Entergy and other employers need the type of disciplined, organized and skilled workers you regularly find among veterans," said Gary Taylor, president of utility operations at Entergy.

"Entergy has grown to be one of the largest operators of nuclear power plants in the world, and much of our success in that arena is thanks to the highly skilled and talented U.S. Navy veterans with nuclear experience we've hired over the years," Taylor said. "So when we were asked to participate in this nationwide campaign, the executive team quickly signed on to a leading role."

Entergy and the rest of the utility industry face a growing challenge in the years ahead as members of the Baby Boom head toward retirement. More than 50 percent of the industry's workforce is 45 years of age or older.

Kevin Schmiegel, vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and executive director of Hiring Our Heroes, said, "We are excited that Entergy is stepping up as a leader in the utility industry to hire veterans — not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it's right for their business. Entergy's commitment to help veterans find jobs in New Orleans, in the state of Louisiana and across America is an example for other companies to emulate, and we welcome their representation on the chamber's national Veterans Employment Advisory Council."

The Veterans Employment Advisory Council includes such companies as 3M, Wal-Mart, Union Pacific, Federal Express, and Chesapeake Energy. Entergy has joined the council's "Chairman's Circle" of top corporate sponsors, which includes companies like Prudential and CVS Caremark.

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