William B. “Bill” Raney

William B. "Bill" Raney attended West Virginia University where he received a Bachelors' degree in biology in 1970, followed by a Master's in Public Administration in 1973. Raney was hired as a surface mine inspector in the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources' Division of Reclamation with initial assignments to Mercer, McDowell and Wyoming Counties. He was transferred to Monongalia and Marion Counties where he worked full time while attending graduate school. Following Basic Infantry Officers' training, he was assigned to Mineral County and the eastern panhandle counties where he continued until being transferred to Charleston, West Virginia, where he served as a supervisor, administrative assistant and assistant chief. He joined the West Virginia Mining and Reclamation Association in 1977 and served as its vice president until April 1992. At that time, he was named president of the West Virginia Coal Association, where he continues today, with the two associations having been merged in 2000.     During his career in the West Virginia Army National Guard, he was given several command opportunities in the 1092 Combat Engineer Battalion as well as being commander of the 111th Engineer Group before retiring as a special assistant to the adjutant general the rank of colonel. During this time, he also served as president of the West Virginia Natural Guard Association and continues to serve as chairman of the West Virginia Natural Guard Foundation.