President and chief executive officer Steven Leer will be made chairman and chief executive officer, replacing incumbent James Boyd who will remain on the board of directors as lead director.
Leer’s position will be filled by current executive vice-president and chief operating officer John Eaves.
“The board of directors and I have been planning this transition for several years as part of a well-crafted and orderly succession process," Boyd said.
Leer said Arch was exceptionally well positioned for future success. “We will continue to emphasise our three core values – safety, environmental stewardship and shareholder value – which we regard as the central tenets of long-term success in the US coal industry," he said.
Leer has served in his current role since the company’s formation in 1997. Prior to that he held the position of CEO with Arch Mineral Corporation, one of Arch Coal's predecessor companies. Eaves has served as COO since 2002 after joining the corporation in 1987.
