Benjamin M. Statler

A third-generation coal miner, Benjamin M. "Ben" Statler began his career as a laborer with Consolidation Coal (CONSOL) in 1969. Statler worked the night shift at the Pursglove mine while attending West Virginia University. Upon graduation, Statler rose through the ranks at CONSOL, holding positions of section foreman, assistant superintendent, superintendent, and technical assistant to the vice president of Morgantown operations before becoming vice president of the company's Moundsville and Ohio operations. In 1994, he was named senior vice president of mining for the Eastern Region, and in 1996, he became senior vice president of mining for CONSOL. In 1999, Statler retired from CONSOL to start his own mining company, PinnOak Resources LLC, acquiring assets from United States Steel Corporation. Statler served as president and chief executive officer of Pinn Oak until he sold the company in 2007. Statler is co-founder and CEO of Gulf Coast Capital Partners, a private investment firm founded in 2008 that is focused on acquiring and providing capital to middle market companies in special situations. Statler serves on the Visiting Committee for the Statler College, the Department of Mining Engineering and on the WVU Foundation Board of Directors. He has been inducted into the WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni. In 2012, he received WVU's highest service award, the Order of Vandalia, for his far-reaching contributions to the University. He is also a member of the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame. In 2012 he was elected to the West Virginia Coal Hall of Fame. Statler has been extensively involved with his community through involvement and leadership in numerous organizations, including the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce, Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, Ohio Valley Medical Center, Upper Ohio Valley United Way, Easter Seals, Christ United Methodist Church, and Boy Scouts of America. Statler and his wife, Jo, have an outstanding history of philanthropic giving, especially to West Virginia University. In January 2012, the couple pledged $34 million, the largest single gift commitment ever given to the University. Because of this gift, the University re-named the engineering college the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. The couple's gifts over the years have gone to support the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, including the establishment of Bonnie's Bus, a mobile mammography unit that provides services throughout rural West Virginia; the new Erickson Alumni Center; and the Basketball Practice Facility and other athletics capital improvements. The couple has been named Most Loyal West Virginians by the University and Outstanding Philanthropists by the WVU Foundation.