Reed, a 39-year mining industry veteran who has been with the state of Kentucky for more than two decades, replaced Johnny Greene.

Greene retired December 31. Reed, who has served as director of OMSL’s safety analysis, training and certification division since 1997, took over from January 1.

The agency announced in early December that Greene, after 20 years working as a state mining regulator, would retire at the end of 2011.

“I am saddened by Johnny’s decision to retire, despite my best efforts to persuade him to stay with us,” Energy and Environment secretary Len Peters said.

“Johnny brought a unique skill set to his job and a professionalism that will be hard to duplicate. Kentucky coal miners could not have had a stronger or more capable safety advocate than Johnny Greene; [he] will be missed.”

Greene, a four-decade mining industry veteran, held various positions with the state agency over 21 years and earned accolades from many across the mining community during that time.

The OMSL director seat responsibilities includes the oversight of all underground and surface mines across the state as well as training and the investigation of accidents.

Kentucky suffered seven coal mining-related fatalities in 2011, one-third of the 21 recorded in the US for the year.