Entergy Names Rod West as Utility Group President

Entergy Corporation has named Rod West group president, utility operations, effective July 1.  West succeeds Theo Bunting, who is retiring from the company after 34 years of service.

West will be responsible for the operational and financial performance of the regulated utilities, including electric and natural gas distribution, and customer service operations.  In addition, West will oversee the utility’s engagement with state and local regulators, and regulated retail commercial development and innovation.

“Rod’s knowledge, leadership, diverse utility experience and relentless focus on creating value for our stakeholders make him the right person for this role at a time when Entergy is becoming a pure-play utility,” said Leo Denault, chairman and CEO. “As we embark on the utility’s $10.4 billion customer-centric capital plan, Rod will ensure we execute prudently, effectively and in the best interest of our stakeholders.”

West has served as a member of Entergy’s Office of the Chief Executive since 2010, when he was named executive vice president and chief administrative officer. In this role, he helped create the company’s shared services organization and provided executive oversight of Entergy’s federal policy, regulatory and governmental affairs, and corporate communications functions.

From 2007 to 2010, West served as president and CEO of Entergy New Orleans, Inc., where he led the company out of its post-Hurricane Katrina bankruptcy and back to profitability. In the post-Katrina period, he led the reconstruction of the company’s electric distribution system and the ongoing effort to replace nearly 850 miles of underground pipe damaged during the storm, an effort recognized as the 2009 Global Infrastructure Project of the Year by Platts Global Energy Awards.

“As we welcome Rod to his new role, we also we also want to say thank you to Theo for his many contributions to Entergy in his 34 years of service,” Denault added. “He has helped position the utility for a successful future, and we are very grateful to Theo for his outstanding service to Entergy.”

West has a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame, a Juris Doctor from the Tulane University School of Law, and a MBA from Tulane University.