(KLZA)-- Effective July 9, there will be a new site vice president and chief nuclear officer at the Cooper Nuclear Station near Brownville. 

The Nebraska Public Power District, which owns the Cooper Station, recently announced they have selected John Dent for the position.  Dent comes to NPPD from Entergy, a company which has a support services agreement with NPPD and provides managerial leadership to the statewide utility. 

Dent was formerly site vice president at Pilgrim Nuclear Station near Plymouth, Massachusetts.  He has more than 30 years of commercial nuclear power experience. 

Dent will assume the role from Ken Higginbotham, who is retiring at the end of June.  

Dent will report to NPPD President and CEO Pat Pope and Entergy Chief Operating Officer Larry Coyle.