May 2008
Dave Hicks
Retires From No. 4 Mine
No. 4
Mine's Planning Manager, Dave
Hicks is calling it quits effective May 31. Dave updated
his JWR Faces bio for this article.
Dave was born near Birmingham, England and had never been to the
United States before he came to work for JWR. "I answered an ad in
the newspaper and came straight to Adger, Alabama," Dave says.
"Before that, I worked for 14 years in the coal mines of England."
"The biggest surprise in coming to Alabama was all of the space,"
Dave continues. "England has nearly 50 million people and is
smaller in area than Alabama. I just couldn't get over all of the
land here."
Biggest Career Achievement:
"Installing the PLC in the hoist at No. 4 Mine in 1991. This paved
the way for all of the automated controls we enjoy today.
JWR Career History: Started at No. 3 Mine in 1978 as Longwall
Electrical Engineer and was soon promoted to Longwall Coordinator;
1979-80 was Senior Project Engineer at Central Mining Office;
1980-94 Electrical Engineer at No. 4 Mine; 1994-96 was Maintenance
Supervisor at No. 3 Mine; 1996-98 was Planning Manager at No. 3
Mine; 1998 to present Operations Planning Manager at No. 4 Mine.
Job Duties: Manage Planning Department, oversee surface
facilities including shop, hoist and fans, administer preventative
maintenance system, keep equipment history.
Favorite Part of My Job: Satisfaction of keeping all
equipment in good repair and operating properly. Keeping the
“Flagship” ahead of the pack.
Least Favorite Part of My Job: Being interviewed by
WORKINGS.
Why Coal Mining as a Career: "In England, coal mining had a good
training program where you could get a college education and
practical experience...and the money was good!"
Age: 63
Education: Electrical Engineering Degree - Nottingham
College of Technology
Residence: Quinton (Walker County)
Wife: Nicki, Retired (worked 40 years for the Social
Security Administration in Birmingham, Alabama)
Children: Between Dave & Nicki, they have six children and
14 grandchildren, 1great grandchild, due September.
Hobbies: Pleasure boating and home improvement including
five rental properties to keep me busy.
Favorite Book: "None come to mind."
Favorite Movie: "Don't watch movies."
Favorite TV Show: College football
His Best Advice to Everyone: "Work hard, tell the truth and
have fun." |
