Reporting to executive vice president of sales, marketing and trading Richard M Whiting, Demzik will be responsible for sales of Peabody's coal production to international markets; sales of all metallurgical coal; sales of import coal to US markets; and all trading, brokerage and agency activities in international markets.

"With current mining operations in the US and Australia, joint venture production in Venezuela, and significant coal trading operations based in the US and Australia, Peabody intends to expand its presence in the international marketplace for both traded products and captive production," said Whiting.

"Near-term activities will include the establishment of a sales and trading and business development office in China, and increased trading activity in both Atlantic and Pacific markets. Demzik and the Coaltrade International team will lead the sales and trading objectives."

Demzik has more than 21 years of coal sales, trading and transportation experience, and most recently was head of Coal/Freight Trading with EdF Trading Limited in London. He previously served as vice president of Transcor Corporation in Pittsburgh 1997-99 and held positions with Phibro, Consolidated Rail Corporation and Koch Carbon.

Demzik holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mining engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla. He replaces Michael V Altrudo, who will be transitioning to a part-time role. Reporting to Demzik is Terry M Hale, vice president of US export and coking sales; John W Hanekamp, vice president of international sales and trading; C Ross Crump, managing director of COALTRADE Australia; and Brian Davis, general manager of marketing in Australia.