Warnecke will continue in his current capacity until the end of 2012, when he will spearhead Arch's efforts to expand and strengthen its transportation, logistics and supply chain capabilities.

During his tenure with the company, Warnecke also served as president of Arch Coal Sales, president of Arch Energy Resources, corporate vice president of marketing and trading, executive vice president of sales and trading for Arch Coal Sales, president of Arch Transportation, mine manager at Arch's former Pikeville, Kentucky, operation, and controller at Arch of Alabama.

Early in his career, he served as manager of crude oil trading for Clark Oil.

Arch's president and CEO John W. Eaves said Warnecke made an invaluable contribution to Arch's growth over his time at the company.

"I am particularly grateful that he has agreed to remain with Arch until mid-2014 to assist with transitional issues and to lead our ongoing supply chain initiative, which I view as an essential component in Arch's long-term growth plans,” he said.

“Dave is a great asset to the corporation and a valued member of the Arch team, and I look forward to working closely with him in this important new capacity."

Warnecke has led Arch's marketing and trading function and served as a member of the corporation's senior officer team since 2005. In his new role, he will continue to report to Arch's executive vice president and chief operating officer Paul A. Lang.

"With his decades of experience and great depth of knowledge in transportation and logistics, Dave is uniquely equipped to lead our ongoing supply chain initiative," Lang said. "We greatly appreciate his dedication to Arch and to this important project, as well as his strong commitment to ensuring a smooth and orderly transition in the marketing function."

Through the transition period, senior vice president of domestic thermal sales for Arch Coal Sales Jennifer Johnson and senior vice president of metallurgical and international thermal sales Matt Ferguson will report to Lang.