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Meet Walt Scheller
Walt Scheller became President and Chief Operating Officer of Jim
Walter Resources in June 2010, replacing George Richmond. He is directly responsible for the day-to-day operations at Jim Walter Resources' underground mines and has general responsibility of the Company's surface mining, natural gas and metallurgical coke operations.

Walt Scheller
U.S. Highway 119 runs right through the middle of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, hometown of Walt Scheller. Drive north fifty miles and you’re in Pittsburgh, known for its once booming steel mills. If you head south down U.S. 119 about forty miles you’re in Morgantown, West Virginia, the heart of the coal industry. Connellsville, Pennsylvania and Brookwood, Alabama have similar histories; both owe their existence to coal mining and beehive coke ovens. You may think it would only be natural for a young Walt to plan a career in the steel or coal industry but you would be wrong.

Walt grew up in a middle class 1960s family with an older sister and a younger brother in southwestern Pennsylvania. His father was an engineer at a plant that made transformers and his mother was the secretary at the local Baptist Church. Walt played basketball and football in high school and instead of dreaming of becoming a pro sports figure he had dreams of becoming a lawyer.

“My dad gave me some good advice before I left for college,” says Walt.  “He said go ahead and choose a career you can make a good living with and enjoy. Get your degree then start law school, and if you don’t like it you will have something to fall back on.”

Walt decided he wanted to be an engineer and chose the University of West Virginia in Morgantown. He could earn his engineering degree and still be close to home. “I didn’t know what type of engineer I wanted to be until I got to college,” recalls Walt. “There was a list posted with all the types of engineering available. I chose mining engineering even though I had never even met one coal miner in my life.”

As Walt progressed through college, he spent three summers working as an intern for CONSOL Energy at various locations. In his junior and senior years he also worked at a grocery store bagging groceries. “My dad had a strong work ethic,” Walt says. “All three of us kids knew when we turned sixteen we were expected to be involved in sports or working. We were taught you need to be able to take care of yourself.”

A major change happened during Walt’s sophomore year in college and her name was Gina from Churchill, Pennsylvania. “I met her in physics class. I don’t know if I was just looking for someone to help get me through physics but we’ve been happily together ever since,” Walt adds with a chuckle. (Gina went on to earn a degree in Petroleum Engineering.)

After graduating with a Mining Engineering Degree, Walt started his coal mining career in 1984 with CONSOL Energy. At the same time he also began raising a family and attending law school at Duquesne University and fulfilled his dream of becoming a lawyer. Later he would earn a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh - Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business. While at CONSOL, he held operational roles from Frontline Supervisor to Vice President, Operations. Walt also served as Corporate Counsel, General Manager of Corporate Safety and Vice President of Strategy.

Before joining Jim Walter Resources, Walt was Sr. Vice President of Operations Improvement at Peabody Energy from 2006 – 2010 and most recently as Group Executive, Colorado Operations.  Prior to Peabody Walt was Vice President of Operations with CNX Gas Corporation from 2005 – 2006.

So what makes someone who worked for two of the largest U.S. coal companies come to Jim Walter Resources? “When I looked at the markets and where Jim Walter Resources was headed I knew I wanted to be part of the company,” explains Walt. “I wanted to be in a position where my actions and decisions will make a difference. I want this company and each employee to be extremely successful and that takes a collaborative effort. We all share the common goal of a safe and productive company that will provide for our families.”

Walt had never been to Birmingham, Alabama and envisioned the terrain would be flat and covered with heavy industry. “I was quite surprised by the beautiful hills, trees and green landscapes,” Walt says. “Everyone is so welcoming and friendly here.” One thing Walt knew no matter where he has traveled is coal miners are the same everywhere. “I love working with coal miners,” continues Walt. “They are hard-working, bright and innovative. I have nothing but respect for them and the work they perform.”

Walt and his wife Gina have three sons, Erich 25, Sam 22, Brett 21 and a daughter, Madyson 16. “When someone asks me what my hobbies are I always tell them it’s whatever my children want to do,” Walt says proudly. “I don’t know if being a coal miner has made me a better dad or being a dad has made me a better coal miner. I had to learn how to be driven but not overbearing. One way I found to spend more time with my kids was to start coaching the sports they were participating in.”

“About five or six years ago I started a tradition with each of my kids that we continue today,” explains Walt. “During the year each of my kids will choose how they want to spend a long weekend with me. Erich, my oldest son is doing medical research and getting ready to work on his PhD. He and I love fly-fishing and that’s how we spend our time together. Sam is a senior at the University of Tennessee studying Industrial Engineering and we will be playing golf on our weekend together. My youngest son, Brett is studying Mechanical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis and we have our snow skiing time together. My daughter Madyson is a junior in high school and is quite sports minded. She plays tennis and has been trying to teach me how to surf without too much success. We also have learned to scuba dive as well. But we won’t be spending Madyson’s weekend doing water sports, we will be going to Disney World…again.” 

WORKINGS Editor - Dennis Hall