Bill started his mining career as an underground equipment operator.
In February of 1976, he was certified as a Mine Foreman. Bill worked as a section Foreman and Safety Coordinator from 1976 to 1980.
In 1980 Bill was promoted to Shift Foreman.
In 1983, he accepted a position as Regional Accident Investigator and Mine Rescue Team Trainer of the former McComas Mine Rescue Team, later known as the Pocahontas Mine Rescue Team located in Pocahontas, Virginia.
In 1995 Bill was promoted to Manager of Safety for Oakwood Virginia operations that covered Buchanan # 1 Mine, VP # 3 and VP # 8 Mines.
After 3 years as Manager of Safety of Virginia Operations he was promoted to Corporate Inspector for all Southern Operations.
In 2000 Bill was transferred to Pittsburgh Corporate Headquarters. In 2003 Bill was selected to be the head of Fire Prevention Management and head coordinator/trainer of the Mine Rescue Team response, consisting of 22 fully equipped teams, working out of 11 stations that represented West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Utah.
Bill was a team member, trainer & coordinator for 36 years and was a team member, trainer or coordinator during the following Mine Fires and Explosions:
Beckley Mine Fire
Fire Creek Explosion
Amonate Explosion
Mine 84 Mine Fire
Loveridge Mine Fires 1 & 2
Sago Mine Explosion
Aracoma Mine Fire
Buchanan Mine Fires 1 & 2
Bill was also involved in numerous seal breaches and examinations of old works.
Bill Retired as Head of Fire Prevention Management & Mine Rescue Response for CONSOL Energy on March 01, 2011. Bill’s home town is Powhatan, WV in McDowell County and he now lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
