The company said the transition would occur on October 1, when Gutman departed.

Also the treasurer of general partner Oxford Resources, Gutman may remain employed after that date if he was needed and available to further assist with the transition.

Harris most recently served as senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer of International Coal Group, a seat he held for nearly five years.

The executive began his professional career with large accounting firm Ernst & Young, where he rose to audit senior manager during his employment from 1981 to 1996.

The Lehigh University graduate also was controller, chief accounting officer and chief financial officer for various companies from 1996 to 2006.

“I feel extremely fortunate to have worked with such wonderful people during my tenure at Oxford, and I am truly proud of our collective accomplishments,” Gutman said.

President and CEO Charles Ungurean commented on his contributions.

“He [Gutman] prepared the partnership for a successful IPO and built the financial infrastructure to support our operations as a public company,” Ungurean said.

“[W]e feel fortunate to be able to attract someone of Brad's caliber to succeed Jeff. Brad's public company experience in the coal sector is a major asset to Oxford, giving us confidence in effecting a smooth transition.”

Oxford Resource Partners, headquartered in Columbus, is focused on steam coal mining in northern Appalachia and the Illinois Basin.