Besides managing his Texas-based investment banking firm, Morris serves as director of Calumet GP, the general partner of oil and gas processor Calumet Specialty Products Partners.

Arch chairman and chief executive Steven Leer welcomed Morris as a benefit to the company’s strategic endeavors.

“With his great financial acumen and his wealth of energy industry expertise, George will be a great addition to our board,” Leer said.

“We look forward to his leadership and counsel during this period of rapid growth and change in world coal markets.”

Morris also served as a managing director for Merrill Lynch and investment bankers Simmons & Company International and First Boston Corporation.

In February, Leer announced he would retire in April and president and chief operating officer John Eaves was named as his successor.

Arch Coal is one of the world’s largest coal producers with 20 mining complexes in every major US coal basin.