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14 www.coalage.com May 2018 news continued % a w a r d s West Virginia Coal Hall of Fame Inducts Industry Leaders The Joint Spring Meeting of the West Virginia Coal Mining Institute (WVCMI), West Virginia Coal Association, and the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) Central Appalachian Section was held in late April, which also included the West Virginia Coal Hall of Fame's 20th Annual Induction Ceremony and dinner. The first class of the West Virginia Coal Hall of Fame was inducted in 1998. Those who make it into the hall of fame must be leaders who have made a significant contribution to the development and growth of the coal industry in West Virginia; must have devoted a minimum of five years of his or her mining career directly related to the West Virginia coal industry; and must have served as an operator, manager, owner, engineer, educator, or other major contributor to the growth and development of the West Virginia coal industry. The 2017 class included Gary Joseph "Joe" Hatfield, president and CEO of Joe Hatfield and Associates; Bennett K. "Ben" Hatfield, for- mer CEO and president of Patriot Coal, who was killed in May 2016; Robert E. Murray, president and CEO of Murray Energy; and Richard "Dick" Preservati, owner of Ritchie Equipment. Joe Hatfield was born in Illinois to William Hatfield, an under- ground coal miner for 47 years with Peabody Coal Co. After graduating high school, he was awarded a scholarship and co-op program with Peabody, working as a surveyor during summers and all school breaks. He attended the University of Missouri–Rolla School of Mines, and re- ceived a bachelor's degree in mining engineering. He began full-time employment with Peabody in 1973 as an underground supervisor. He worked in Illinois mines until 1984 progressing from section foreman, chief belt foreman, shift mine manager, to chief mine manager. In Feb- ruary 1984, Peabody acquired the Armco Steel Coal Operations in West Virginia, and he was promoted to mine superintendent and relocated to Charleston, West Virginia. He was then assigned to several mines, being promoted to general superintendent. Peabody acquired Eastern Associated Coal Co.'s operations in 1987, and he was promoted to the WV Division Office as director of operations support. He was promoted to director of purchasing for Peabody Energy in the St. Louis, Missouri, corporate office in 1999. He worked there until 2005 when he accepted a position as director of purchasing for Mississippi Lime Co. He re- tired from Mississippi Lime in March of 2018 and started a consulting company, Joe Hatfield and Associates LLC. He and the management team for Peabody modernized the Armco and Eastern Associated oper- ations by initiating the first remote control continuous miners and deep cut mining methods in West Virginia. They also employed high-speed heavyweight conveyor belts throughout the mines, and introduced bat- tery-operated haulage and personnel transportation. He also led the effort to get the first coal preparation plants ISO-9000 certified in the state of West Virginia so that the metallurgical coal would meet steel mill and automotive quality standards. He said he is most proud that he never had an accident at work and there were no serious accidents at any operation he managed or with any of the support departments that he directed over his entire career. He has been active in professional organizations such as the So- ciety for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME). He is past chairman of the St. Louis Section of SME, and received the section Distinguished Member Award in 2011. He was recognized by the International SME with the Local Section Hero Award in 2012. He is past president of the Kanawha Valley Mining Institute in Charleston. He was president of the West Virginia Coal Mining Institute in 1993 and orchestrated updates to the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws for both the KVMI and WVCMI. "Perhaps the one that really stands out is Kanawha Valley Min- ing Institute and he ultimately became president in 1986-1996," said Calvin Kidd, director, business development-mining division, Quak- er Chemical Corp., who introduced Hatfield at the event. "KVMI has awarded in excess of $250,000 in scholarships over the years and has established two endowed scholarships. Calvin said Hatfield was also the driving force in getting the WV Coal Hall of Fame established. "West Virginia people are exceptional people and have provided the closest friends we have ever met," Hatfield said during his accep- tance speech. Hatfield explained that safety has always been important to him and he was proud to have never had a serious accident on his properties. Hatfield emphasized that a number of people have had a big influence on his success and there were too many to mention. "I am truly humbled by this honor," he added. Mike Castle introduced the next inductee Ben Hatfield, who he described as a "very proud third generation coal miner and was the youngest just by a few minutes to his twin brother Dennis." "Back in 1982, I considered Ben as my best friend," said Castle. "Ben loved to go underground to be with his miners and was one of the greatest leaders in this industry." Ben Hatfield began his mining career post high school, when he obtained a part-time job working at A.T. Massey Coal Co. in Kentucky, while he attended classes at University of Kentucky's Prestonburg Com- munity College. Two years later, Hatfield, along with his twin brother Joe Hatfield (left) accepts the Hall of Fame award from Calvin Kidd. Lauren Hatfield and Ashley Stelly accept Ben Hatfield's award from Mike Castle.