Peabody Energy announced that Eric Ford, executive vice president, office of the CEO, plans to retire effective January 31, 2014, following a successful career of more than 40 years in the global mining sector. Ford has held a series of executive leadership roles with Peabody since joining the company in 2007, including executive vice president and COO and chairman, Australia. Ford will assist Peabody in a consulting role through 2014.
Cliffs Natural Resources appointed Gary B. Halverson, formerly interim COO of Barrick Gold Corp., to the newly created position of president and COO. In addition, he will serve as a director on Cliffs’ board. James Kirsch, non-executive chairman of the board, has been elected executive chairman of the board. In addition, Joseph Carrabba will retire as president and CEO, and will also step down as a director of Cliffs’ Board.
Gregory H. Boyce, Peabody Energy chairman and CEO, has been recognized as a 2013 University of Arizona Alumnus of the Year for his outstanding career achievements and enduring dedication to the University of Arizona’s College of Engineering and its Department of Mining and Geological Engineering. Boyce accepted the honor from the University of Arizona Alumni Association at the Alumni of the Year Awards ceremony in Tucson, Ariz. Boyce has worked across a wide range of commodities, including copper, uranium, gold and coal. He previously held roles with Kennecott Copper and Rio Tinto, before joining Peabody Energy in 2003 as president and COO. In 2006, he became president and CEO and was elected as chairman of the board in 2007.
Vigo Coal announced that Mike Schiele has retired as CEO and president. Schiele will remain chairman of the company’s board of directors. John C. Harman, formerly vice president, assumed the role of president and CEO.
Dennis Conner has been named regional sales manager for GE Mining, a unit of GE Transportation. He will be responsible for serving customers throughout the Midwest and developing new business opportunities for GE’s Fairchild Mining Equipment.
Bill Dudenhoefer has been promoted to Eriez market manager-heavy industry. Dudenhoefer joined Eriez in 1998, serving as technical sales representative until his promotion in 2006 to separation product manager. He will oversee Eriez’ equipment and orders for heavy industries, including aggregates, ceramics, power generation, mining, utilities and more.
ECSI LLC announced that Jason Stoltz has joined the firm as director of engineering services for the Midwest region and will be based in Lawrenceville, Ill. His past employment includes mining operations in eastern Kentucky and Alabama, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the U.S. Department of Interior Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Kentucky Department for Natural Resources, and the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Xylem Dewatering Solutions announced the appointment of Gregg Leslie to the role of national accounts manager. He previously worked with the Godwin brand as area sales manager for their Southeast region.
SGS appointed Marc Rademacher as vice president and business manager, U.S. Minerals Services.
