WV Executive

On February 25, 2010 The Mine Safety Technology Consortium (MSTC) in Montgomery, WV announced that it planned to honor miners, nominated by the public, with awards to be presented at the second annual Miners’ Celebration at the resort at Glade Spring on June 16th and 17th. In light of the recent tragedy, and the incalculable loss of life at Upper Big Branch, MSTC will be naming this award to memorialize the “UBB 29.”

Through the award ceremony at the conference MSTC plans to recognize the contributions of miners as individuals—either to the mining industry, or to their local communities.

“I have no words to adequately express my feelings for the miners that lost their lives, and for the families and friends that survive them. In this context, we hope that the award can somehow bring an element of light and peace to all.” Remarked Dennis Jarvis, II, MSTC Director.

“The nominations to date have been heartfelt and inspiring and we look forward to presenting the awards at the Miners’ Celebration.” commented Jarvis. Nominations will be considered by an award panel on any of the following criteria: Heroism, Innovation, Community Involvement.

MSTC was established by Congressman Nick J. Rahall, II. The primary mission of MSTC is to aid in the expansion of research, development and manufacturing opportunities and to ensure that West Virginia leads the nation in mine safety, health technology and equipment. To achieve these goals, MSTC is committed to supporting new and existing businesses whose focus is to develop technology as well as knowledge-based products and systems dedicated to improving mine safety throughout the industry. The second annual Miners’ Celebration advances the mission of MSTC by acknowledging the contribution of miners and by providing a platform to review new technology and resources for the mining industry.

The 2010 Miners' Celebration will provide three tracks of presentations and speakers with a theme of continued development and progress in the WV mining industry. The three tracks this year are: Coal Technology Development, Coal Heritage Development and Coalfields Community Development.

Speakers for the 2010 Miners' Celebration include:

Special Invited Guest, Governor Joe Manchin, State Senator Mike Green, Mike Castle, former Director of the WVDEP, Christi Bailey, Director of the National Coal Heritage Area, Jeff Woods, Director of the Coalfield Community Development Office, the West Virginia Division of Energy, VISE, Dr. Tony Szwilski, from Marshall University, Tammy Horn, Eastern Kentucky University, CEDAR, and companies and historians serving various aspects of the mining industry.

Sponsors for the 2010 Miners’ Celebration include: Coal News • BrickStreet Insurance • Liberty Hydrologic • The State Journal• BB&T – BECKLEY • MiningConnection.com • WVNS-TV CBS59/FOX59 • Kanawha Valley Advertising • Power Country 105.9 • Upper Kanawha Valley Economic Development Corporation • Score (For more information contact MSTC at 304-734-6620. Additional sponsorships and exhibitor space available. Rooms are available at The Resort at Glade Springs for everyone attending the conference. Reservations may be made by calling (877) 783-3308. For additional details please contact MSTC or visit www.NominateAMiner.com - for resort info and room descriptions visit www.GladeSprings.com.

The “Because of You…” theme was created by Presidio Studios, an Ad Agency based in Lewisburg, WV. “We go through life hoping that no-one will ever experience another tragedy like the ones that have cost miners their lives over the years, but it is important to recognize the price that has been paid in good times as well as the painful times. It is in that spirit that the Because of you… concept emerged.” commented Timothy Luce, President of Presidio Studios. Presidio shot the flagship image of the miners helmet using their EDRi™ photography process, which results in a greater visual depth to the image--with an emotional connection. Luce further remarked “Normal photography just wouldn’t cut it for the visceral connection we needed.”

2010 Miners’ Celebration Advisory Committee includes: Dennis Jarvis, Bridgemont Community & Technical College, Teresa Buckland, Dr. Tony Szwilski, Marshall University Center for Environmental, Geotechnical and Applied Sciences (CEGAS), Christy Bailey, National Coal Heritage Area, Tara Elder, Women’s Business & Training Center, Lisa Lilly, WorkForce West Virginia.