Catching Up with Ken Gillespie

In his 33 years with the company, Ken Gillespie had a front row seat to exciting changes in Georgia Power’s history, helping to usher in the new era of nuclear power in the 1970s. 

A native of Liberty, South Carolina, Ken Gillespie joined Georgia Power soon after graduating from Clemson University in 1961 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

After spending some time as an engineer at Plant Arkwright and Plant Hammond and with the Army Reserves, Ken was selected to be “on loan” to what was then known as Georgia Power’s Department of Public Information and Advertising In 1968 to help raise public awareness about the benefits of nuclear power. He traveled around the state in a nuclear power exhibit trailer for a year, educating over 100,000 customers and Georgia residents about the vast potential of the “future of tomorrow’s energy.”

After his stint with Public Information, he held several engineering positions overseeing various operations during the construction of Plant Hatch, Georgia’s first nuclear-powered electric generating station. Ken was eventually promoted to Plant Construction Manager, overseeing the final construction of the facility in 1978.

After successfully completing the construction of Plant Hatch, Ken went to Plant Vogtle for three years to provide assistance in the construction there before coming to the Georgia Power headquarters in Atlanta as Manager of Engineering Services, providing support to all plants. In 1985 he became acting VP of Engineering and Construction Services. After a merger of the Georgia Power and Southern Company Services engineering teams, Ken retired in 1994 as manager of the engineering team in Birmingham.

We caught up with Ken during a recent visit to the Georgia Power Headquarters meeting for a Metro Central Ambassadors meeting.

What are you up to now?

Right after I retired in 1994, I fished, golfed and did some traveling, but I’ve slowed down some at 89. Today I’m still active with our Georgia Power Ambassadors Metro Central and Metro East chapters, having served as a state president 2004-2005. On occasion, I join fellow military veterans for lunch and recall our times of service. I’m also a member of Church on Main in Snellville and the Druid Hills Kiwanis Club, having served as former president in 1997.

What was your proudest moment at our company?

That I helped to get the construction of Plant Hatch finished and was glad to be part of the team to complete it satisfactorily with all of the safety codes and requirements for a nuclear facility that involved meeting with nuclear regulatory commission inspection teams.

What did you enjoy the most about your time at Georgia Power?

Definitely having the opportunity to work with and associate with so many quality people. I will never forget them. And the opportunity to learn and grow during my 33 years with the company. Thanks to all who helped me along the way. I’m grateful to be able to maintain friendships to this day with some employees I worked with at Plant Hatch.

I especially want to recognize several individuals I worked closely with who provided tremendous support to me personally during the time of the construction of Plant Hatch and Plant Vogtle. Unfortunately, many are no longer with us, but I’m forever grateful for their leadership and support. These include Bill Ehrensperger, Senior Vice President; Flem Mitchell, Vice President of Construction; Dick Conway, Senior Vice President of Nuclear Power; George Head, Senior Vice President of Fossil and Hydro Power; Tom Beckham, Vice President and General Manager of Nuclear Operations; Jim Miller, GPC President during Plant Hatch / Vogtle construction;  Bill Dahlberg, GPC President during construction of Vogtle; and Ron Pinson, Vice President of Engineering and Construction Services, who I sat in for as he assumed his new role of Vice President of Vogtle Project Construction.

Can you share your secrets to success?

Learn to delegate authority, and don’t try to do it all yourself. No man is an island. Trust good people, give them guidelines and expectations and then let them succeed. Also, don’t take credit yourself when others do the work. Give credit where credit is due.

Looking back, is there anything you would do differently?

I’d spend more time with family and strive to achieve a better work/life balance. It can be challenging with demanding jobs that require long days, but it’s important to find some quality time with your family.