Inducted
04/19/2007
Distinguished Engineer
Degrees
- BS, Engineering of Mines, WVU, 1983
- JD, WVU, 1986
Raised in Beckley, West Virginia, Michael R. Peelish graduated cum laude from WVU with a degree in mining engineering in 1983. He earned his law degree from WVU in 1986, and is a member of the bars of West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Colorado.
Peelish has been employed by Foundation Coal Corporation and its predecessors since 1989. Currently, he is responsible for safety, health and loss prevention as well as benefits, labor relations, payroll, compensation policy and administration, workers compensation, black lung, training and management development and general human resources matters.
Peelish has been active in the mining industry since 1979, including working with CONSOL for six years in its engineering work study program and legal department. Since arriving at what is now Foundation Coal, he has held various positions, including general attorney, senior attorney and manager of regulatory affairs and loss control.
He is actively involved in the Society of Mining Engineers, National Mining Association and numerous state mining trade associations. He also is a member of the WVU Department of Mining Engineering visiting committee.