John Jones will join Patriot as VP of operations – West Virginia south region, including the Rocklick, Wells, Big Mountain and Paint Creek complexes.

"The addition of John Jones to our management team focuses experience and resources on our southern West Virginia operations. Our Met Build-Out program is a key part of our strategy and John will help ensure its success," Hatfield said.

Jones most recently served as VP of underground operations for the Brooks Run North business unit of Alpha Natural Resources.

He has nearly 30 years of coal industry experience with Alpha and Massey Energy, which includes management roles overseeing several of their largest mining complexes in southern West Virginia.

He holds a bachelor of science degree in mining engineering from the University of Kentucky.

James Magro will serve as senior VP of operations – West Virginia north region, including the Panther, Kanawha Eagle and Federal complexes.

Magro joined Patriot in December 2009, serving as its senior VP of underground mining.

His Patriot service was preceded by a lengthy career in operations management with Consol Energy.

He holds a masters in business administration and a bachelor of science in industrial engineering from West Virginia University.

Michael Day will be senior VP – engineering and West Virginia central region operations, with dual responsibilities for both the corporate engineering group and an operating region that includes the Logan County, Corridor G, Campbell's Creek and Blue Creek complexes.

Day previously served as Patriot's senior VP – engineering and surface operations, overseeing Patriot’s engineering, technical services, environmental and process improvement functions, as well as its surface mining operations in West Virginia.

He holds a bachelor of science degree in mining engineering from the University of Kentucky.

Lawrence Millburg will become VP of operations – Kentucky region, including the Bluegrass, Dodge Hill and Highland complexes.

Millburg has more than 35 years of mining experience and has held a number of mine management positions with Patriot Coal and Peabody Energy.

He has served as Patriot's acting VP – Midwest operations since July 2011.

Terry Hudson will continue in his current position as VP – safety and E Kent Hartsog will continue in his current role as VP – operations support.

"The new regional structure will allow us to target more of Jim Magro's skills on our critical longwall operations and the ongoing Kanawha Eagle expansion and will better accommodate Mike Day's responsibility for managing our vital engineering, mine development and environmental compliance efforts,” Hatfield said.

“Finally, Larry Millburg will be responsible for our western Kentucky operations at an important juncture when a significant legacy customer contract is just rolling off.

"This realignment of operations management is an important step in strengthening Patriot's operating team and positioning the company for organic expansion."