Inducted
04/22/2004
Distinguished Engineer
Degrees
- BS, Engineering of Mines, WVU
- Executive Program, University of Virginia
Benjamin Statler was born and raised in Monongalia County. He received a B.S. in mining engineering from West Virginia University and attended the executive program, Colgate Darden Business School, University of Virginia. The third generation coal miner worked the night shift at Pursglove mine while attending WVU.
His employment with Consolidation Coal Company began in 1969. He held many positions with the company, 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 operation 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 1999, Statler formed Benjamin M. Statler, LLC, a mining and business consulting firm.
On July 1, 2003, Benjamin M. Statler, LLC and Questor Management Co. LLC acquired the assets of U.S. Steel Mining Company and founded PinnOak Resources, LLC. Statler then became president and CEO of PinnOak.
Statler's professional activities include Society of Mining Engineers; past executive board member, Pittsburgh Section of SME; visiting committee, WVU Department of Mining Engineering; West Virginia Coal Association board member; and Alabama Coal Association board member.
His community activities include: board member of the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce, Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, Ohio Valley Medical Center, Upper Ohio Valley 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.
Statler and his wife, Jo, reside in McMurray, Pennsylvania. They are the parents of two children, Julie and Ben II, and the grandparents of three grandsons.