Today he is a retired coal executive who lives in Naples, Fla., and McMurray, Pa. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mining engineering from WVU in 1973. Statler began his career with Consolidation Coal in 1969, retiring as senior vice president of mining for CONSOL Energy in 1999. He then formed his own mining consulting company.
At Consolidation Coal Company he held many positions, beginning as a laborer and advancing from section foreman to assistant superintendent, superintendent, and technical assistant to vice president of Morgantown operations before becoming vice president of Moundsville and Ohio operations. In 1994 Statler was named senior vice president of mining, eastern region, and in 1996 became senior vice president of mining for CONSOL.
In 2003, Benjamin M. Statler LLC and Questor Management Co. LLC acquired the assets of U.S. Steel Mining and founded PinnOak Resources LLC. Statler sold the company in July 2007. In October 2007, Statler and his wife, Jo, announced a $25 million commitment to WVU, the single largest gift to the University.
Statler’s professional activities include: Society of Mining Engineers (SME); Past Executive Board Member, Pittsburgh Section of SME; Visiting Committee, WVU Department of Mining Engineering; West Virginia Coal Association Board Member; and Alabama Coal Association Board Member.
His community activities include: board member of the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce, Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, Ohio Valley Medical Center, Upper Ohio Balley United Way; Easter Seals VIP for six years; board of trustees, Christ United Methodist Church; and chairman of Southwest Pennsylvania Boy Scouts of America Fund Drive.
Statler and his wife Jo reside in McMurray, Penn. They are the parents of two children, Julie and Ben II, and the grandparents of three grandsons.
