By Charles Boothe

April 2, 2019 - The head of CONSOL Energy will be the keynote speaker at the Bluefield Coal Show in September.

Jimmy Brock, the company’s president and CEO, will open the show at the traditional media and exhibitor appreciation breakfast on Sept. 11.

Bill Brown, Danny Shortridge and Brian Peck talk shop on the final day of the 2017 Bluefield Coal Show at the Brushfork National Guard Armory. Jimmy Brock, the company’s president and CEO, will open the show this year at the traditional media and exhibitor appreciation breakfast on Sept. 11.

Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of the Two Virginias, the event, held every two years, is expected to bring in more than 200 exhibitors.

“We are delighted that Jimmy Brock has accepted our invitation to speak to us and open the show,” said Coal Show General Chairman Robert W. “Bob” Ramsey. “CONSOL Energy is a major operator in the American coal industry and Jimmy Brock is a highly respected leaders with a career spanning five decades and an extensive knowledge of the industry. We are most fortunate to have him join us, sharing his view on the coal industry.”

Brock has a long background in the industry, starting in 1979 with CNX at the Matthews Mine. His early career included many positions – section foreman, mine longwall coordinator, general mine foreman and superintendent.

From 2006-2007 he served as vice president-operations of CNX and from 2007 to 2010 he was senior vice president-Northern Appalachia for West Virginia CNX operations. He served as CEO-Coal of CNX Resources Corp. from 2010 to November 2017, when CONSOL Energy separated from CNX.

Brock is also currently CEO and chairman of the board of directors of the general partner of CONSOL Coal Resources LP, a position he has held since 2015.

The Bluefield Coal Show gives attendees the opportunity to explore mining in the areas of underground mining, safety, safety supplies, technology, aggregate, components and the latest equipment available to the mining industry.

Exhibitors showcase their products to sell to coal people and supporting industries.

“The show is well under way with exhibitors singing up almost daily,” Ramsey said. “We look forward to this being a very good year for the show.”

One familiar face will be missing this year, though.

The late Charlie Peters, who helped found the show and had been its chairman since 1976, died in May 2018.

This year’s show, the 23rd, is set for Sept. 11-13 at the Brushfork Armory.

Ribbon-cutting to open the show will take place after Brock speaks at the media and exhibitor appreciation breakfast.