Statler named to WVU BOG

 Benjamin M. Statler

Benjamin M. Statler, a retired energy executive and renowned philanthropist, has been named to the West Virginia University Board of Governors by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin.

Statler was born and raised in Monongalia County. He is a third generation coal miner and worked the night shift at Pursglove mine while attending WVU.

After earning his bachelor’s degree in mining engineering from WVU in 1973. Statler joined Consolidation Coal in 1969, retiring as senior vice president of mining for CONSOL Energy in 1999. He then formed his own mining consulting company.

At Consolidation Coal Co. he held many positions, beginning as a laborer and advancing from section foreman to assistant superintendent, superintendent, and technical assistant to vice president of Morgantown operations before becoming vice president of Moundsville and Ohio operations. In 1994 Statler was named senior vice president of mining, eastern region, and in 1996 became senior vice president of mining for CONSOL.

In 2003, Benjamin M. Statler LLC and Questor Management Co. LLC acquired the assets of U.S. Steel Mining and founded PinnOak Resources LLC. Statler sold the company in July 2007 to Cliffs Natural Resources. In October 2007, Statler and his wife, Jo, announced a $25 million commitment to WVU, the single largest gift to the University.

Then in 2012, an additional gift brought the total commitment to $34 million, and the engineering college was named the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources in his honor.

Statler’s professional activities include: Society of Mining Engineers, West Virginia Coal Association, Alabama Coal Association Board Member, Statler College advisory committee. He has also served on the West Virginia University Foundation board of directors.

His community activities include: board member of the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce, Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, Ohio Valley Medical Center, Upper Ohio Balley United Way; Easter Seals VIP for six years; board of trustees, Christ United Methodist Church; and chairman of Southwest Pennsylvania Boy Scouts of America Fund Drive.

The Statlers live in Naples, Florida.

"It is an honor to be given the opportunity to serve on the governing board of our great university and I am very much looking forward to it,” Statler said.

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