Former Illinois gas exec Hudson joins Entergy as gov affairs VP

An energy executive with experience in the gas distribution industry is set to become Entergy’s newest government affairs chief, the company announced this week.

Entergy, New Orleans, named John Hudson as its newest senior vice president of federal policy, regulatory and government affairs, according to a press release dated Wednesday. Hudson, who will start in his new role effective April 22, replaces Mike Twomey who is retiring from Entergy after more than 20 years at the company, the release said.

In his new role, Hudson will be responsible for overseeing “several key groups” focused on federal government affairs, environmental policy and issues involving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. He will also manage a team “directing the company’s efforts to secure infrastructure funding” as part of the Joe Biden administration’s November Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Entergy said.

Before joining Entergy, Hudson was president and CEO of Nicor Gas Corporation, an Illinios-based gas distribution company — and the largest one in the Land of Lincoln, reaching around 2.2 million customers. He also has experience as executive vice president and chief external affairs officer of Southern Company Gas.

Hudson has an M.B.A. from Georgia Tech and a J.D. from Miles College. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Alabama A&M University.

Among its other business lines, Entergy operates a dwindling fleet of six nuclear power plants. The company’s Palisades plant in Michigan is scheduled to go offline in May. Two former Entergy sites, Indian Point in New York and Pilgrim in Massachusetts, have already gone dark and are being decommissioned by Holtec International.