L. Newton Thomas, Jr.

L. Newton "Newt" Thomas was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force, following his graduation from Cornell University. After serving two years in the military, including one year in Korea and reaching the rank of First Lieutenant, he returned to civilian life and explored other career opportunities. During his long career with Carbon Industries, Inc., he served in various professional and management positions culminating with the position of corporate senior vice president. He assisted in the development of ITT Carbon Industries, Inc. The company was the initial site for the application of a continuous mining machine developed by Bituminous Coal Research, a research entity of the National Coal Association, and application of one of the first longwall systems in the United States, which was manufactured by a German company, Westfalia Lunen. In the late 1970's and early 1980's he was engaged in expanding the company westward acquiring reserves in Illinois, Colorado and Montana. Thomas served in leadership positions during his professional career including president of Kanawha Valley Mining Institute, Kanawha Coal Operators Association and Southern Coal Producers Association. He served on the Board of Directors of the Bituminous Coal Operators Association and a member of a select committee of UMWA District Presidents and coal industry officials to seek consensus on the resolution of differences regarding union contract issues prior to the next contract renewal. Following retirement many years ago, he has been actively engaged in numerous statewide, civic and charitable activities. He has chaired BIDCO, now the Charleston Area Alliance, a regional economic and community development organization, the West Virginia Air Pollution Control Commission, the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, the Daywood Foundation, the Buckskin Council Boy Scouts of America, the United Way of Central West Virginia, the Charleston Area Medical Center Foundation, Davis and Elkins College Board of Trustees, and was Vice President of the West Virginia Symphony. Several honors have been awarded to him over the years including being named to the WVU Business Hall of Fame, recipient of the Distinguished West Virginian Award, the Lorenelle White Lifetime Achievement Award from the State Journal and the Lou McManus Award from the Education Alliance of West Virginia.