Robertson, a 22-year veteran of the coal industry, is employed by Arch division Coal-Mac. She has served on the institute’s board of directors for the last three years.
“This group is a wonderful support group for the coal industry in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia and I'm proud to have the opportunity to work with the TVMI members in supporting the industry and assisting with financing higher educational goals for area students,” Robertson told International Longwall News.
“I think as more females are filling more industry jobs, there will be many public positions filled by females in the near future.”
Flanking Robertson on the board of directors are Andy Ashurst, Massey Energy; David Akers, Akers Supply; Robert “Bud” Baldwin, Southern West Virginia Resources; Ray Scites, First National Bank of Williamson; Randy Curry, DBT; Bob Hypes, Hi-Tech Construction; Bruce Smith, Calloway/Alpha Resources; Terry Potter, Coal-Mac/Arch Coal; Larry Mauk, Hampden Coal/International Industries; and Chris Hamilton, West Virginia Coal Association.
TVMI, established in 1946, is the oldest such group in West Virginia that has been continually active. It represents southern West Virginia, eastern Kentucky and southwestern Virginia.
In related news, the institute recently released its 2007 calendar, which includes the dates of each of its monthly meetings and the scheduled speakers for each. They include:
- January 18 – Danny Smith, senior vice-president of Energy and Properties, Norfolk Southern;
- February 15 – Carl Baisden, director of Mine Training and Energy Technologies, Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College;
- March 15 – Ronald Wooten, director of WV Officer of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training;
- April 26 – West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin (tentative); and
- May 17 – TVMI Scholarship Awards ceremony.
Meeting dates for the second half of 2007 include June 21, July 16, August 16, September 20, October 18 and November 15.
April’s meeting will coincide with one of the region’s highlighted annual events, CEDAR of Southern West Virginia’s 6th Regional Coal Fair, on April 23-27 at the Larry Joe Harless Community Center in Gilbert. For more information on the Coal Fair or the TMVI, contact Robertson at (304) 792-8433 or Debbie Mudd at (304) 664-4006.
For more information about CEDAR of Southern West Virginia, check out American Longwall Magazine’s coverage of the organisation at http://www.longwalls.com/storyview.asp?storyid=61333.
