CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Coal Association today announced the re-election of Gary White, of Gilbert, as its chairman of the board for the upcoming year. It is White’s second term as the Association chair. Bill Raney will continue as president, joined by Chris Hamilton, senior vice president, and Jason Bostic, vice president.
“I am honored that the members of the West Virginia Coal Association entrusted me to continue as chairman for another year,” White said. “West Virginia’s coal industry is faced with a number of challenges today – from Washington, DC and from the struggling economy – but it also has in front of it the opportunity to truly become the fuel on which we rebuild our economy and our nation, free of our dependence on undependable foreign energy sources.“I am excited about the future … but we have to come together to remove the roadblocks that are holding us back. Most of all, we have to restore reliability and predictability to the permitting process. We have to restore the balance between federal and state regulatory agencies. And Washington, DC has to let us mine coal.
“Our coal miners are the best in the world,” White said. “We have shown throughout the years that American can depend on us to supply the fuel for our economy. We have proven ourselves as America’s true bedrock. And we are ready to lead the way in restoring our nation’s economy.”
At the meeting, members also voted to extend an honorary board membership to Gilbert’s own James H. “Buck” Harless for his lifetime commitment to the industry and to West Virginia.
Joining White as Association officers are: (Terms expiring August 2012).
- 1st Vice-Chairman-- Kevin Crutchfield (Alpha Natural Resources)
- 2nd Vice-Chairman-- Jim Laurita (MEPCO)
- Secretary--- John Snider (Arch Coal)
- Treasurer--- Andrew Jordon (Pritchard Mining)
- Asst. Treasurer--- Chuck Ebetino (Patriot Coal)
- Associate Division Chairman---Tim Zeli (Nelson Brothers)
The following were elected to the Board of Directors with terms expiring August, 2014
General Members:
- Jimmy Brock (re-elected) | Consol Energy
- Jim Bunn (re-elected) | Blue Creek Processing
- Warren Hylton (re-elected) | Patience Coal
- Greg Jessee (re-elected) | Arcelor Mittal WV
- Drexel Short (re-elected} | Gatling LLC
- Wayne Stanley (re-elected) | Stanley Industries
- Ken Woodring (re-elected) | Essar Inc.
- Ralph Hamilton (re-elected) | Rudd Equipment
- Danny Smith (re-elected) | Pocahontas Land
In addition, three new members were elected to the Board of Directors for terms ending in 2014.
- Larry Evans (1st term) | Western Mining Company-Atlantic Development
- Bob Worley (1st term) | Baylor Mining, Inc.
- Wesley Burke (1st term) | Rish Equipment
The West Virginia Coal Association is the nation’s largest state coal industry trade association. With 301 members representing producing companies, vendors and service companies. Founded in 1915, the Association represents 98 percent of the production of coal in the state. It is located in Charleston, WV.