James Omer Bunn, Sr.

James O. Bunn, Sr. began his coal mining career in Grundy, Virginia. Upon graduating from Morris Harvey College, Bunn began a career in coal mining and was a partner in Black Lode Coal Corporation with his family. A year after joining the partnership Bunn sold his interests and decided to continue his education. Bunn graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in mining engineering. Bunn pursued a career in engineering services after graduating. He was a part-owner with Nelson E. Light of Grundy, Virginia and an engineer with Tri-State Engineering Company, Ltd. in Grundy, Virginia. He stayed active in this capacity from 1975 to 1977. After deciding his true fascination came from the operating side of the business, he started a coal company with a close associate, Eugene Bane of Grundy, Virginia. Bunn was part owner and manager of Picadilly Coal Company in Hazard, Kentucky, from 1978 to 1980. From 1981 to the present, Bunn has been heavily involved in acquiring coal properties in southern West Virginia and southwest Virginia with his long-time partner, F. D. Robertson. A couple of the many successes have been Northland Resources and New Eagle Industries, Inc. Bunn is presently involved in Kanawha Eagle Coal, Coal River Energy, Eaglehawk Carbon, Black Eagle Minerals, Docks Creek Terminal, Knighthawk Coal and Central Coal Company. Bunn is also a charter board member of Asian-American Coal Company based in Richmond, Virginia and operating in China. He served as chairman of the West Virginia Coal Association in Charleston, West Virginia; a member of the Old-Timer's Club; a member of Careers-in-Coal; a member of The Virginian and the Olde Farm Golf Clubs in Bristol, Virginia; and serves on the Board of Trustees at Emory and Henry College in Emory, Virginia.