Coal & Energy Division

As a member of the Coal & Energy Division of SME, you have access to professional networking and leadership opportunities with peers who share your career objectives.

The Coal & Energy Division of SME:

  • Provides a forum for cooperation and communication among professionals interested in any way in coal and other mining-related energy sources,

  • Promotes the use of coal as a major source of energy,

  • Advances technologies in coal exploration, mining, and utilization through meetings, programs, publications and education, and

  • Creates interest in the coal industry as a career opportunity.

Coal & Energy Division Annual Luncheon & Silent Auction

This event is a fantastic opportunity for division members to network while supporting the C&E Division scholarships. 

Many thanks to our generous sponsors!

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Click here to view the luncheon photos on SME's Flickr page!

Coal & Energy Division Bylaws
Coal & Energy Division Handbook Vol. I
Coal & Energy Division Brochure

Coal & Energy Division Meeting Minutes

2023 Coal & Energy Division Annual Meeting Minutes
2022 Coal & Energy Division Annual Meeting Minutes
2021 Coal & Energy Division Annual Meeting Minutes
2020 Coal & Energy Division Annual Meeting Minutes
2019 Coal & Energy Division Annual Meeting Minutes
2018 Coal & Energy Division Annual Meeting Minutes
2017 Coal & Energy Division Annual Meeting Minutes
2016 Coal & Energy Division Annual Meeting Minutes

Coal & Energy Division Committees

The Howard L. Hartman Award, established in 1989, recognizes distinguished contributions in practice, teaching or research in the field of underground ventilation engineering.

Name Position Start End
Arunkumar Rai, MS MBA Co-Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2026
Arash Habibi Co-Chair 03/01/2022 02/28/2025
Mr Craig Stewart, B.S.M.E Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2028
Mr J. Daniel Stinnette, PE Member 03/01/2021 02/28/2025
Dr. Karoly C. Kocsis, Ph.D. Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2026
Heather N. Dougherty, PE, PHD Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2027

Underground Ventilation Unit Committee is open to anyone with an interest in underground ventilation.

Name Position Start End
Purushotham Tukkaraja, PHD, QP Publications Vice Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Mr. Jack D. Trackemas Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
John R. Bowling Program Vice Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Dr Bharath K Belle, PHD Program Planner Vice Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Dave Brokering Program Planner 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Tara K. Davis SME Staff 03/01/2021 02/28/2050

The Committee shall review the nominations for the Rock Mechanics Award and select the recipient. The Rock Mechanics Award is awarded to recognize distinguished contributions toward the advancement of rock mechanics.

Name Position Start End
Brijes Mishra, PHD Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Anna P. Perry Representative 03/01/2021 02/28/2025
Laura Claire O'Connor Representative 03/01/2022 02/28/2026
Jim Haughey Representative 03/01/2022 02/28/2026
Deniz Tuncay Representative 03/01/2023 02/28/2027
Emily Rose Representative 03/01/2023 02/28/2027
David Cheung Representative 03/01/2024 02/28/2028
Zoheir Khademian Representative 03/01/2024 02/28/2028

The Committee shall review the nominations for the Aplan Award and select the recipient. The Frank F. Aplan Award (Aplan Award) recognizes engineering or scientific contributions that further the understanding of the technology of coal and/or mineral engineering. Eligible areas of recognition include agglomeration, classification, comminution, electrical and magnetic separation, flocculation and sedimentation, froth flotation, and other related processing operations.

Name Position Start End
Dr. Barbara J. Arnold Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2026
Dr. Tathagata Ghosh, PhD Representative 03/01/2024 02/28/2027
Mr. D. Erik Spiller Representative 03/01/2024 02/28/2026
Robert V. Washnock, QP Representative 03/01/2022 02/28/2025
Susan B. Bealko, MS, MPH Representative 03/01/2024 02/28/2027
James E. Gebhardt, PE, PHD Representative 03/01/2024 02/28/2027

The Award is administered by SME’s Coal & Energy Division.

Name Position Start End
Steven J. Schafrik Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Samuel C. Baker Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2026
Susan B. Bealko, MS, MPH Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2025
Edward F. Zeglen, Jr, PE Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Dr. Tathagata Ghosh, PhD Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2027

The C&E Unit Committees are responsible for planning appropriate programming within their specific interest area.

Name Position Start End
Matthew D. Furniss Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Hannah Chop Vice Chair 04/01/2024 02/28/2025
Ashish R. Kumar, PE Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2027
Vaibhav Raj, PHD Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Edward F. Zeglen, Jr, PE Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2027

The Erskine Ramsay Award Committee is responsible for reviewing the nominations for the Erskine Ramsay Award and selecting the recipient. The Ramsay Award recognizes distinguished achievement in coal mining to include both bituminous coal and anthracite.

Name Position Start End
Brian N. Shaffer, P.G. Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Robert A. Kimutis Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2028
Thomas A. Gray Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2028
Michael A. Trevits, MBA, PG Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2028
Sampurna Arya Member 03/01/2021 02/28/2025
J. Eric Shereda, PE Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2026
Dr. Abhishek Choudhury Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2027
Baojie Zhang Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2026

The Committee shall have oversight of all activities within the Coal & Energy Division.

Name Position Start End
Jim Haughey Program Co-Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2026
Samuel C. Baker Program Co-Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Steven J. Schafrik Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Edward F. Zeglen, Jr, PE Vice Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Dr. Tathagata Ghosh, PhD Past Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Samuel C. Baker Secretary-Treasurer 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Jason N. Todd Program Vice Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Michael Keener Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2026
Michael A. Trevits, MBA, PG Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2027
Robert P. Kudlawiec Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2027
J. Eric Shereda, PE Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Joshua Brady, CMSP Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Brett A. Ashley, PE Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2025
Vaibhav Raj, PHD Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2025
Karin Harrington SME Staff 07/01/2021 02/28/2050

The Howard N. Eavenson Award Committee is responsible for reviewing the nominations for the Howard N. Eavenson Award and selecting the recipient. The Eavenson Award recognizes distinguished contributions to the advancement of coal mining.

Name Position Start End
Dr. Michael Karmis Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Amy L. McBrayer Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2027
Dr. Vladislav Kecojevic Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2025
Mr. Ryan M. Murray Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Edward F. Zeglen, Jr, PE Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2025

The Committee selects the recipient(s) of the J.W. Woomer Award. This award brings recognition of engineering professionalism to young people working in the coal industry.

Name Position Start End
Susan B. Bealko, MS, MPH Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Gregory S. Barclay Vice Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Michael Keener Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2027
Brett A. Ashley, PE Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2027
Matthew R. Gray Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2025
Thomas C. Rauch Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Name Position Start End
J. Eric Shereda, PE Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Jim Haughey Vice Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Michael A. Trevits, MBA, PG Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2027
Matthew R. Gray Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Deniz Tuncay Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Karin Harrington SME Staff 02/01/2022 02/28/2050

The C&E Unit Committees are responsible for planning appropriate programming within their specific interest area.

Name Position Start End
Jim Haughey Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Rohit Pandey Vice Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
William M. McBrayer Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2027
Amir Eskanlou Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Bobby Burgess Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Matthew R. Gray Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026

The C&E Unit Committees are responsible for planning appropriate programming within their specific interest area.

Name Position Start End
Samuel C. Baker Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Adam G. Patterson Vice Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Brett A. Ashley, PE Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Robert A. Kimutis Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026

The C&E Unit Committees are responsible for planning appropriate programming within their specific interest area.

Name Position Start End
Rohit Pandey Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Vasu Gangrade Vice Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Mr. John R. Loff-Peterson, CMSP, CRSP, CSP Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Mr. Wm. Randolph Reed Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Daniel Curry, CMSP Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Christy Miller Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2027
Amy L. McBrayer Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2027
Name Position Start End
Dave Brokering Publications Vice Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Mr. Jack D. Trackemas Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Purushotham Tukkaraja, PHD, QP Program Planning Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
John R. Bowling Program Planning Chair 03/01/2020 02/28/2025
Dr Bharath K Belle, PHD Program Planner Vice Chair 03/01/2023 02/28/2025

The Nominating Committee selects members to serve on division committees as members or SME committees as the C&E representative.

Name Position Start End
Steven J. Schafrik Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Samuel C. Baker Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2026
Mr. Ryan M. Murray Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2025
Susan B. Bealko, MS, MPH Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Edward F. Zeglen, Jr, PE Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Dr. Tathagata Ghosh, PhD Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2027
Karin Harrington SME Staff 08/02/2021

The Committee selects the recipient of the annual Percy W. Nicholls Award. Established in 1942, funded by AIME and ASME in alternating years, the Percy W. Nicholls Award is given for notable scientific or industrial achievement in the field of solid fuels.

Name Position Start End
Brijes Mishra, PHD Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Mr. Thomas A. Toney Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Deniz Tuncay Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2027

The Committee shall review all applications for the Coal & Energy Division Scholarship and the John Sidney Marshall Scholarship and select the recipient(s).

Name Position Start End
Jon M. Bobbera Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Brett A. Ashley, PE Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2026
Mark A. Van Dyke Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2026
Bryant Welch Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2026
Rohit Pandey Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2025
Michael Keener Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2025

The Committee selects the recipient(s) of the Stefanko Best Paper Award. The Coal & Energy Division Stefanko Best Paper Award is awarded to recognize authors presenting papers in the Coal & Energy Division technical sessions for their contributions to the body of knowledge.

Name Position Start End
Samuel C. Baker Chair 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Jason N. Todd Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2025
Mrs Rachel Boothby Member 03/01/2022 02/28/2025
Ashish R. Kumar, PE Member 03/01/2023 02/28/2026
Jim Haughey Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2026
Deniz Tuncay Member 03/01/2024 02/28/2027

Coal & Energy Division Awards

Click the button below to view your Division Award.
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Coal & Energy Division Scholarships

C&E Division & John Sidney Marshall Memorial Scholarship

The Coal & Energy Division of SME annually awards scholarships to promising college students who have chosen as a career path the field of mining engineering with an emphasis on coal mining, coal processing, or other mining -related energy sources (including geothermal, oil sands, oil shales, coal bed/mine methane, uranium, unconventional oil sources through mining, etc.). Eligible students may submit one application in consideration for both the Coal & Energy Division Scholarship and the John Sidney Marshall Memorial Scholarship. The John Sidney Marshall Memorial Scholarship, funded by AIME, is administered by the Coal & Energy Division and awarded annually to one or more undergraduate mining engineering students planning to pursue careers in the coal mining industry. To submit an anonymous recommendation letter for a student, please email it to scholarships@smenet.org with the student's first and last name and the scholarship name as the file name.

Applications for this scholarship are currently closed.

Mine Ventilation Scholarship

The Scholarship (Mine Ventilation Scholarship) was established in 2014 by the SME Underground Ventilation Committee in honor of Dr. Malcolm J. McPherson, John R Marks and Dr. Rudolf Greuer, all world renowned ventilation experts; and all other ventilation engineers who have given their careers to the improvement of mine ventilation. The SME Underground Ventilation Committees gives this scholarship to improve the mine ventilation profession through education of mining engineers ultimately improving the safety and health of underground miners. The Scholarship is awarded annually to one or more students pursuing a graduate degree in mining or minerals engineering, with a desire to use their skills to apply mine ventilation technology to improve the safety and health in the underground mining environment.

Applications for this scholarship are currently closed.

C&E Division & John Sidney Marshall Memorial Scholarship

Applications for this scholarship are currently closed.

C&E Division & John Sidney Marshall Memorial Scholarship

Applications for this scholarship are currently closed.

C&E Division & John Sidney Marshall Memorial Scholarship

Applications for this scholarship are currently closed.

C&E Division & John Sidney Marshall Memorial Scholarship

The application period for this scholarship will begin on 09/01/2024

Mine Ventilation Scholarship

Applications for this scholarship are currently closed.

Mine Ventilation Scholarship

Applications for this scholarship are currently closed.

Mine Ventilation Scholarship

Applications for this scholarship are currently closed.

Mine Ventilation Scholarship

The application period for this scholarship will begin on 09/01/2024