Personal Spotlight: James R. Philpott Jr. Journey in the Nuclear Industry

James R. Philpott Jr. is a seasoned professional with an Honorable Discharge from the United States Air Force and 33 years of experience at Arkansas Nuclear One. Since his retirement, he has been working part-time for NES.

Career Beginnings:

Jim's interest in electronics repair began early, working alongside his father on TVs and radios at age 12. He pursued formal education in electronics through Vo-tech in high school and later at Arkansas Valley Vo-tech in Ozark. After serving as an Avionics repair technician in the Air Force, Jim transitioned directly to Arkansas Nuclear One, where he dedicated 33 years as an Instrument Technician.

Key Career Milestones:

Jim's career is marked by numerous achievements. He excelled in electronics training, winning 1st place in Industrial Electronics in Arkansas and placing 13th in the national competition in 1984. His time in the Air Force was distinguished by being named Airman Maintenance Professional of the Year at Clark Air Force Base in 1987. At Arkansas Nuclear One, Jim received the Peak Performer award in 1994 and 1995, became an INPO Certified Instrument Technician in 1993, and earned INPO Certified Trainer status in 2009. In 2020, he achieved Procedure Professional Association (PPA) certification, specializing in writing technical procedures. Throughout his career, Jim performed multiple upgrades to critical nuclear systems and developed and provided training on various systems, including the Combustion Engineering 3410 Control Element Drive Mechanism system, Westinghouse Digital Feedwater System, and more.

Insights and Wisdom:

Jim advises young professionals to choose a career path that genuinely interests them, whether through college or Vo-tech. He emphasizes the importance of setting personal goals and not allowing others to dictate one's career path.

Looking Ahead:

Jim continues to work part-time at NES, driven by his commitment to the field and a desire for ongoing professional growth.