Leonard takes the seat from CEO, chief financial officer and general counsel Victor Patrick, who announced his retirement late last month. The transition is effective March 12 at close of business.

"Joe has been an important member of our board, serving with us in two separate tenures," company chairman Michael Tokarz said.

"We will look to him to provide continuity and leadership, keeping the company on its path as a leading provider of premium coking coal for the global steel industry.

“Joe also will be responsible for directing our search for a permanent CEO and filling out our senior management team."

Taking over as interim CFO is senior vice president-controller Lisa Honnold, and current vice president Catherine Bona will assume the seat of interim general counsel. Their new responsibilities are also effective March 12.

Honnold has been with Walter Energy since 2005, when she joined the company as vice president of corporate accounting. The CPA and Miami University graduate previously worked for Catalina Marketing and NACCO Industries.

Bona, a graduate of St Johns University School of Law and LeMoyne College, has worked for the producer for 15 years. She previously served as assistant general counsel and assistant secretary.

"Both Lisa and Cathy have been important components of the company's success," Tokarz said.

"The board and I have confidence that they will continue to be outstanding contributors in these interim leadership roles until such time that permanent replacements are named."

Now retired, Patrick had been promoted to CEO last September. In a US Securities and Exchange Commission filing in January, he was awarded $US1 million in stock annually for the next three years and $1.98 million in salary – all hinging on Walter’s financial performance.

In January, the Florida-based company announced its headquarters and 100 employees would move to the suburb of Hoover in Birmingham, Alabama.

A lease was inked for the top two floors of the Galleria Tower at Riverchase Galleria.

Walter said the site was chosen for its proximity to the company’s Alabama operations. The move should be completed in the second quarter of this year.

The January SEC filing outlined that Patrick and his family were required to relocate with the company before July 1, 2010.

Walter Industries became Walter Energy last April. The company produces metallurgical and steam coal, as well as coal bed methane gas, with a staff of more than 2100.

It operates the Jim Walter Resources No. 4 and No. 7 mines in south-central Alabama.