In addition, the company’s managing partner, Teck Cominco Coal Partnership, has named Brown to the same titles for its Elk Valley Coal Partnership.

Brown brings with him almost three decades of service in the oil and gas industry in a senior financial capacity. Before joining Fording, where he will replace Ron Millos, Brown was vice president or finance and chief financial officer of High Point Resources.

“We look forward to having Jim Brown join our management team,” said Trust chairman Michael Grandin.

Fording, a Calgary-based mutual fund trust, invests significantly in metallurgical coal operations and holds a 60% interest in the Elk Valley Coal Partnership, a collection of met coal properties that is also the country’s second largest exporter of the product. The Partnership expects to export some 27 million tons of high-quality coal worldwide this year, specifically to steel companies.