Entergy Arkansas’ Top Regulatory VP Steve Strickland To Retire

Entergy Arkansas announced Friday that Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Steve Strickland will retire in May 2014 after 35 years of service with the company.

Strickland has led Entergy Arkansas’ regulatory affairs group for more than half of that time. Laura Landreaux will succeed Strickland in the role of vice president of regulatory affairs beginning June 1.

“Steve’s broad experience across the regulatory affairs spectrum combined with his commitment and guidance have contributed to the success of Entergy Arkansas,” said Hugh McDonald, president and CEO of Entergy Arkansas.

“Steve leaves a legacy of regulatory strength and the successful development of leaders, including Laura Landreaux, who will now sustain us moving forward,” said McDonald. “Laura’s regulatory expertise and development in the company make her a perfect fit for this key leadership role.”

Strickland began his career in 1979 as an engineer in the power plant group with what was then-called Arkansas Power & Light. Strickland was responsible for projects with coal plants and at Arkansas Nuclear One. In that role, Strickland also worked on engineering studies for a new generation of power plants and joint venture cogeneration projects with some of the company’s largest customers.

He served from 1987-1988 in New Orleans as executive assistant for Ed Lupberger, chairman and CEO of Middle South Utilities, the forerunner of Entergy Corp. Upon his return to Arkansas, the Little Rock native took a job working in the regulatory area of the company. He was named director of regulatory affairs in 1996 and promoted to vice president of regulatory affairs 12 years ago.

Landreaux currently serves as manager of regulatory affairs and is responsible for all regulatory filings and proceedings at the Arkansas Public Service Commission. She joined the company in 2007 as a senior counsel with Entergy Services, Inc. and represented Entergy Arkansas in regulatory proceedings before the Arkansas Public Service Commission.

Prior to joining Entergy, Landreaux was an attorney for Salt River Project, an electric utility in Phoenix, Arizona, for five years. She joined Salt River Project after spending four years in private practice representing merchant generators and landowners in siting and permitting issues before Arizona administrative agencies.

Landreaux received her bachelor’s and Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.