WEST VIRGINIA RECORD

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS -– Kent Hartsog, Vice President – Operations Support with Patriot Coal Corporation in Charleston, has been re-elected as the 2009-2010 Chairman of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

Hartsog was first elected Chairman at the 2008 Annual Meeting. His election took place earlier this month during the Annual Meeting, which was held at The Greenbrier.

The board also approved the election of the following officers for 2009-2010 terms:

* Timothy E. Huffman, a Partner with Jackson Kelly, as Vice Chairman;

* Richard Adams, Chairman and CEO of United Bankshares, as Treasurer; and

* J. Thomas Jones, President and CEO of West Virginia United Health System, as Secretary.

In addition, representatives from seven companies were newly elected to the Board of Directors:

* Phyllis H. Arnold, President – W.Va. Operations, BB&T – Charleston

* Patrick M. Gallagher, President, Charles Ryan Associates, Charleston

* James L. Guidarini, Vice President & Site Leader, WV Operations, The Dow Chemical Company, South Charleston

* Betty S. Ireland, Senior Vice President, Professional Services of America, Charleston

* Tommy Johnson, Vice President – Government Relations, CONSOL Energy Inc., Canonsburg, Pa.

* Patrick D. Kelly, Charleston Managing Partner, Steptoe & Johnson, Charleston

* Matthew T. Sheppard, Senior Director – Corporate Development, Chesapeake Energy Corp., Charleston

They join 43 other directors who will serve on the W.Va. Chamber's Board during 2009-2010.

As the state's largest, most influential general business organization, the West Virginia Chamber represents all business sectors in every region of the state, ranging from small business enterprises to Fortune 500 companies. The organization's 5,000+ membership reach comes from its close relationships with 55 local chambers of commerce and dozens of statewide business and trade associations.

The West Virginia Chamber is a proactive leader in the search for solutions to problems, a voice for free market competition and streamlined government, a catalyst for progressive thinking and problem solving, and a partner with government as appropriate.

More information on the W.Va. Chamber can be found at www.wvchamber.com.