News Release > From Olympic gold to professional success

From Olympic gold to professional success

08/22/2024

In honor of the recent closing of the 2024 Summer Olympics, we would like to take a moment to celebrate not just the athletes of today, but also those who have paved the way for future generations.

Among them is one of our very own Entergy New Orleans employees, Derek Mills, who participated in the 1996 Olympics and brought home a gold medal in the 4x400m relay. His journey from the track to the corporate world is a testament to how the discipline and skills developed through sports can translate into professional success.

Mills’ passion for running started as a young boy when he was in fifth grade. His dedication and talent propelled him through high school at DeMatha High School in Maryland, then as a competitive athlete at Georgia Tech. During his collegiate career, Derek was a 4-time NCAA Champion and honored as an 11-time NCAA All-American athlete.

As a professional athlete, Mills was the 1993 and 1995 World Championship Gold Medalist and later participated in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, where he took home the gold in the 4x400m relay race.

His experience on the track has been key to his professional success. Mills believes that the qualities that made him thrive on the track—hard work, perseverance, and goal-setting—are also vital in the business world.  Derek’s track career has left an indelible mark on his life, but it was his experience at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta that truly shaped his outlook on teamwork and leadership.

“The 1996 Olympics confirmed my belief that good teamwork and leadership are critical to the success of a team or an organization,” said Derek Mills, Entergy New Orleans' manager of demand side management. “Our squad was a close unit, having competed against each other for years in college and even high school. Our shared history made it easy for us to develop a friendship based on respect. We trusted each other and held each other accountable. Trust and accountability are critical components of effective teamwork.”

As we honor the participants in this year's Olympic games, we are proud to recognize our colleague’s outstanding achievements and the invaluable lessons he brings to our team. Derek Mills’ story is a powerful reminder that the principles of teamwork, leadership, and determination are relevant not only in athletics, but also in every aspect of our lives.