Published: August 25, 2006 10:50 pm      

A-list speakers to dig into key issues at Coal Symposium

BLUEFIELD — Members of the inaugural Bluefield Coal Symposium committee renewed their collective commitment to make the three-day meeting “a meaningful discussion on the issues facing the coal industry” at the full committee’s final meeting prior to the Sept. 27-29, event.

“I think this is a first class program, second to none,” Bill Reid said. Reid is the managing editor/publisher of Coal News, and is serving as chair of the symposium committee. “We feel it will appeal to a large cross section of people in the coal industry and people who are interested in mine safety.” The event is hosted by the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce.

Don Blankenship, chairman, president and CEO of Massey Energy will give the keynote address during the opening reception on Wednesday, Sept. 27, and Gov. Joe Manchin is scheduled to keynote the symposium dinner on Thursday, Sept. 28.

In addition to Manchin and Blankenship, a group of coal industry A-listers including Sago Mine accident investigators Ray McKinney, Richard Gates, Mark Skiles and Allen Dupree of the Mine Safety and Health Administration, Jeff Welsh of NIOSH and Dr. R. Larry Grayson, chair of the national committee formed in the wake of the Sago Mine accident are scheduled to attend.

The symposium will include three technical sessions with Reid moderating all three. “The preparation of a program like this is critical to its success,” he said. Other coal industry leaders who are participating include Ronald G. Stovash, senior vice president of operations for Consol who will be luncheon speaker on Sept. 28, Dan Gerkin, senior vice president/government and political affairs for the National Mining Association, Bill Raney, president of the West Virginia Coal Association, Bill Caylor, president of the Kentucky Coal Association, Tommy Hudson, president of the Virginia Coal Association and John Feddock, senior vice president, Marshall Miller & Associates.

Jay Johnson reported on the success of attracting coal industry sponsors for the program and Frank Wilkinson reported on the status and availability of golf tee times during open portions of the symposium. The committee also discussed responsibilities for Tom Hall, chamber chairman and Randy Deason, vice chair of the chamber’s economic enhancement division and Charles Peters, general chairman of the biennial Bluefield Coal Show.

“The main thing at this point is getting people to attend,” Reid said. Committee members agreed to meet individually in the days prior to the event.

— Contact Bill Archer at barcher@bdtonline.com