Tapped for first and second vice president were Kevin Crutchfield of Alpha Natural Resources and Ben Statler of PinnOak Resources.

Rounding out the group were secretary John Hill of Eastern Associated Coal, assistant secretary John Snider of Arch Coal, treasurer Paul Vining of Magnum Coal, assistant treasurer Ben Hatfield of International Coal Group and associate division chairman Dan Pochick of Rish Equipment.

The group’s executive committee was also selected, all of whom will serve through 2007.

As the immediate past chairman, Randy Hansford of Riverton Coal will participate in the executive committee, alongside “members at large” Steve Young of Consol Energy; John Snider of Arch Coal; and Steve Walker of Walker Machinery.

With terms running through 2009, WVCA’s new board of directors will consist of Dona Donell of Starvaggi Industries, Jim Laurita of Mepco, John Snider of Arch Coal, Charles Sutton of United Coal, John Wellford of Kimberly Industries and Mike Zervos of United Energy.

Nick Carter of Natural Resource Partners, Pat Graney of Petroleum Products, Steve Walker of Walker Machinery and Tim Zeli of Nelson Brothers were honored as associate members.

Association president Raney offered his feelings on the election of Jordan, who replaces Riverton Coal’s Randy Hansford.

“We' re entering a year of great promise. And I think it's appropriate that the industry has chosen Andrew Jordon, a person earned respect throughout our industry, to lead the board

“As an industry, we have great dreams and expectations. Andrew [Jordan]…will help us make sure that our dreams are substantive and achievable.”

With a record attendance at the early August event, WVCA members also had the opportunity to hear presentations by several speakers including Hill And Associates’ Jim Truman, West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training interim director James Dean, and Speaker of the House of Delegates (Virginia), Bob Kiss.