Insights > Power Principles: A Conversation with Gary Colar

Power Principles: A Conversation with Gary Colar

04/27/2017

Gary C. Colar Sr., senior safety specialist in Entergy New Orleans’ gas distribution department,  with his wife Marie and their grandchildren, Kuhm (left) and Kory (right).
Gary C. Colar Sr., senior safety specialist in Entergy New Orleans’ gas distribution department, with his wife Marie and their grandchildren, Kuhm (left) and Kory (right).

Gary C. Colar Sr. is a senior safety specialist in Entergy New Orleans’ gas distribution department. Gary has been with Entergy 40 years.

What's your power principle at work? My purpose is to be a blessing to others. I’ve truly been blessed in my life, and I must be ready to give back at any moment. Often, when people think of giving back, their first thought is monetary. I may not have a lot of money, but I can give my time. I can coach a fellow employee on changing his or her behavior. I can encourage someone who may feel like they can’t make it. I can feed someone who may be hungry. I realize that someone took their time to give to me, and I can do the same by giving to someone else.  

What motivates you to live and work safely? I’m very fortunate to be happily married to a wonderful lady, and I have three children and six grandchildren. I want to be around for as long as I can to love, support and see my grandkids develop into adults. Living and working safely is not optional because I truly believe that if I care enough about my family, I should live and work safely every day.

What's some of the best career advice you've ever been given? A very long time ago, an old Louisiana Power & Light lineman friend told me that I should hold myself accountable and strive to be the best that I could be. He said the only one who could hold me back was me. I never forgot that conversation, and his good advice motivated me to propel forward and not look back.

Would you like to join Gary as he powers lives for customers in the Southeast? Check out career opportunities with Entergy! You can also keep up with Entergy career opportunities by following us on LinkedIn!