Alpha Natural Resources president resigning to take new job

Bristol-based coal supplier Alpha Natural Resources announced this week that its president, Paul Vining, is resigning Jan. 31 to become CEO of a Cline Group affiliate, which is focused on the acquisition and operation of coal mines outside the United States. When Vining departs Alpha Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Brian Sullivan, and newly appointed Executive Vice President, Mining Operations Keith Hainer, will take on expanded roles within the company.

“Paul has been an asset and leader for a number of coal companies throughout his career and the same was true at Alpha.  We are grateful for Paul's three and-a-half years of service and wish him success in his new international venture,” Crutchfield said in a statement.

Sullivan will continue in his current role, but with additional management responsibilities over Alpha's expanding natural gas commercial enterprise and extensive land holdings. He has been part of the company’s management committee since 2012.

Hainer has been promoted to executive vice president, mining operations and will oversee operational management of Alpha's 60 affiliated coal mines throughout Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Wyoming.  Hainer was most recently Alpha’s senior vice president, operations excellence and idle mines for an Alpha subsidiary, a position he has held since 2012.

Earlier this month, Alpha announced that Chief Financial Officer Frank Wood was retiring Feb. 28. Alpha’s Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Philip J. Cavatoni, will then take an expanded role as CFO.