Donald W. Vinci

Don is an accomplished utility executive who retired from Entergy Corporation (a fortune 300 company) after a highly successful career leading in both operational and corporate roles. His experience includes more than five years as a member of the executive leadership team reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and responsible for all aspects of company strategy, operations, and customer experience. During that time, Don served as Chief Human Resources Officer & Chief Diversity Officer and was subsequently promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer responsible for all functions related to information/operational technology, supply chain, facilities, corporate aviation, security, customer service support and shared services.

Prior to his time as a member of the executive leadership team, Don held a variety of leadership roles at Entergy over his 33-year career. As Vice President, Gas Distribution Business, he was responsible for all aspects of the local gas distribution business serving more than 190,000 customers in Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Other roles held included Vice President, Business Development for Entergy Nuclear, Vice President, Risk Management Services and General Auditor, and General Manager Plant Operations at River Bend Nuclear Station.

Don began his career with Entergy in nuclear operations, where he held numerous positions of increasing responsibility including Maintenance Manager, Operations Manager, Engineering Manager, Director of Fleet Training, General Manager Plant Operations at River Bend nuclear station, and General Manager, Fleet Operations and Support.

He served on active duty for more than six years as a submarine officer in the U.S. Navy and in the Navy Reserves for 17 years, including a tour as Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station Pensacola Reserve Unit. He retired as a captain from the Naval Reserves in 2003.

Don is currently a board member, mentor and facilitator for the Severn Leadership Group (SLG). He also serves on the advisory board for Tulane University’s School of Science and Engineering, chairs the task force for Technology Commercialization and Entrepreneurship, has twice chaired the annual Tulane Engineering Forum, and serves on the Tulane NROTC Alumni Board. Don formerly served on the New Orleans advisory board for the Posse Foundation, a national college access and youth leadership development program, the Louisiana Military Advisory Council, and the boards of Greater New Orleans, Inc., and Operations Technology Development.

Don is a New Orleans native and received his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and a master’s degree in business administration, both from Tulane University. He was a licensed Louisiana professional engineer and a licensed senior reactor operator at the Waterford 3 nuclear station.