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John Catano says the biggest misconception people have about Indian Point Energy Center is that it isnt safe. But after working at the Entergy Indian Point nuclear power plants for the past three decades, the Cortlandt resident is the first to assure you that it is.
I wouldnt be here if it wasnt safe. My grandfather worked construction to build Indian Point, and my whole family grew up in the area, he said.
Catano and his maintenance team are also making sure it stays that way. He said he doesn't take his job lightly because there is great responsibility involved in working in this type of technology that you cant take any of it for granted.
As a member of Entergys maintenance department, he tests the performance of valves, pumps, motors and safety-related pieces of equipment to predict how long until they need to be replaced.
Its a remarkable feat to have the different systems work together the way they do. Its incredible, Catano said.
He utilizes this experience as president of the Snubber Users Group, a non-profit industry organization serving similar power facilities. There, he helps facilitate meetings to address issues faced by the nuclear plants in the industry.
In his off-time, Catano analyzes another type of performance--this time on the football field.
As the Varsity Football coach for Croton-Harmon High School, Catano's greatest reward is making a difference in his players' lives.
The ultimate satisfaction is being able to take somebody who is on the border of going down the wrong road and swaying them into becoming a good person and good citizen, he said.
He has led the Croton Harmon varsity football team to the New York State Championship twice, in 2008 and 2011.
Catano also enjoys spending time with his wife Karen and daughters, Christine and Jennifer.
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