Jacquelyn Jones has been named vice-president of contract management, reporting to senior vice-president and chief marketing officer Michael Altrudo.

Patriot said Jones’s appointment signalled increased focus on the company's revenue base, with particular emphasis on capturing the increased costs as a result of the rapidly changing regulatory environment.

Jones has led the company's tax department since Patriot's inception in 2007.

She has more than eight years of coal experience, primarily in tax and project management roles. In 2008, she led the integration of Magnum into Patriot.

Jones has also worked for Peabody Energy, GenAmerica and Ernst & Young.