CHARLESTON – Gary White, of International Resource Partners, a subsidiary of James River Coal Company, was re-elected chairman of the Board of Directors of the Association for the coming year.
It is White’s second term as chairman. White’s election came at the Association’s 52nd Annual meeting held earlier this month at the Greenbrier Resort.
Joining White as Association officers are:
- 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)
“As we continue to confront the public and political challenges facing our industry, we are in a significantly more influential position in both arenas thanks to our decision to invest significant financial and human resources in programs designed to move the needle of public opinion,” White said in a letter to the membership after his re-election. “Thanks to the success of the WVCA public relations program, the “Friends of Coal”, “Faces of Coal”, “Friends of Coal Ladies Auxiliary” and individual company programs, current polling data indicates we have achieved a level of more than 70% in “Name Recognition and Influence.” This is politically and statistically significant particularly when you consider that number was 17% when we started the PR journey just ten years ago.
“While our challenges are many, we are making progress. We must stay the course by being actively involved in the governmental and political processes. With a Special Gubernatorial election on October 4 and a Presidential, WV Gubernatorial, Legislative and Supreme Court Election in 2012, we have the opportunity to leverage the success of our many programs to influence the outcome of the political process. With your continuing support we will succeed in protecting the future of our industry, its people and our nation.”
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 (1stterm) Western Mining Company-Atlantic Development
- Bob Worley (1stterm) Baylor Mining, Inc.
- Wesley Burke (1stterm) Rish Equipment
The following companies were accepted as associate members: (representatives noted in parentheses).
- ·All Crane & Equipment Rental Corp.(Chad Shamblin)
- ·C & M Giant Tire(Doug Chambers)
- ·Kay Casto & Chaney(Barbara Wessels)
- ·Thrasher Engineering(Woody Thrasher)
At the meeting, members also voted to extend an honorary board membership to Buck Harless, founder of International Resource Partners, for his lifetime of service to the coal industry and to West Virginia.