ABINGDON, Va. — Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. (NYSE: ANR), a leading supplier and exporter of coal, has appointed Paul Vining to the newly created position of Chief Commercial Officer.
Vining will bring 30 years of proven executive experience within the coal industry when he joins Alpha in early May. From 2008 to 2010 he was President and Chief Operating Officer of St. Louis-based Patriot Coal Corp. (NYSE: PCX), a major U.S. producer of metallurgical and steam coal. Prior to that Vining was Chief Executive Officer of Magnum Coal Co. and Trout Coal Holdings, two privately held Central Appalachian coal producers. He has held the top executive sales and trading positions for both Arch Coal and Peabody Energy, the two largest coal producers in the United States, and had key sales and marketing roles at Island Creek Coal Co. and A.T. Massey Coal Co.
Reporting to Alpha CEO Kevin Crutchfield, Vining will be responsible for domestic and international market development, sales, transportation and logistics, and product optimization for customers. He will lead one of the industry’s most experienced sales organizations with approximately 60 professionals serving customers in more than 25 countries as well as most major domestic utilities and industrial customers.
Vining will also oversee a significant expansion of Alpha’s presence in the international seaborne coal markets through the further utilization of Alpha’s sales and logistics capabilities, including new overseas sales locations serving the Asian markets. Alpha’s logistics platform, which will enlarge once Alpha completes its planned merger with Massey Energy Co. this year, currently includes partial ownership of coal-export facility Dominion Terminal Associates, significant port capacity in the Gulf of Mexico, a network of river terminals, an ocean freight company with Panamax-class time charters, and a coal brokerage business.
“Paul will play a key role facilitating the expansion of our global sales and marketing activity, at a pivotal time when we expect to increase our international supply capabilities,” Crutchfield said. “Paul brings us experience in all facets of the industry, especially in market and sales development, and his track record demonstrates a proven ability to execute in this area.”