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Profiles of Millsaps People > Alumni Outcomes > Allison Graves

Allison Graves

Director of Federal Energy Policy for Entergy
Major: Master's of Business Administration, 1996


"We see Allison as a bright and shining star at Entergy," said Haley Fisackerly, president and CEO of Entergy Mississippi, Inc. "I honestly think that her education and experience at Millsaps greatly contributed to her success in our company."
Allison Graves

A new generation of Americans has made its way to the nation's capital to help steer government policy, and among them is Millsaps graduate, Allison Graves.

Graves, M.B.A. 1996, is director of federal energy policy in Entergy Corporation's Washington, D.C. office. Since 2005, Graves has actively advocated for Entergy's customers and shareholders with lawmakers and policy makers in the federal government. She educates members of Congress, their staffs and others on nuclear power, climate change and similar issues of importance to the electric utility industry.

"There are so many issues before congressional members each and every day," Graves said. "It is hard for every member to know exactly what an idea may do in practical terms in Mississippi or other parts of the country. We take in facts and figures of what a proposal really means, how it could work or how it might not, and discuss unintended consequences, good or bad. We try to make sure our voices are part of the mix being heard. We are interested in reliable and reasonably-priced electricity that meets a climate change goal.

"I spend much of my time on nuclear energy issues," Graves said. "Entergy is the second largest operator of nuclear power plants in the country. These plants, during regular operations, produce very low emissions, on par with wind power."

Graves joined Entergy in 1996 and has worked in various customer service, economic development and governmental affairs positions. Before moving to Washington, Graves worked for Entergy Mississippi, Inc., one of Entergy's six utility operating companies, as a manger of state governmental affairs.

Graves received her bachelor's degree in mathematics from Vanderbilt University and a master's in business administration from Millsaps, where she received the Sewell Award for Outstanding MBA student and served as president of the graduate student association in 1995-1996.

"There's much Millsaps history in my family," Graves said. "My father was a graduate of Millsaps, as were two of my aunts, my brother graduated undergraduate school the same year as I finished graduate school and a cousin recently graduated. My great-uncle, Benjamin Graves, served as president of the college (1965-70)."