UK-UL Exec MBA Student Named Energy and Environment Secretary

Frankfort, Ky. (Dec. 9, 2015) — Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin this week announced the appointment of Charles G. Snavely as secretary of the Energy and Environment Cabinet. Snavely, a native of Prestonsburg, brings more than 35 years of experience in the coal mining industry to the position. And this month he will complete his MBA degree through the joint UK-UL Executive MBA Program. Snavely is a member of the very first cohort in the program offered through the University of Kentucky's Gatton College of Business and Economics and the University of Louisville.

“I am pleased to appoint Charles Snavely to lead the Energy and Environment Cabinet,” Bevin said. “His professionalism and leadership experience in the industry are well known. Charles understands the balance we must maintain between the Commonwealth’s need for low-cost, reliable energy and the need for clean water and air for all Kentuckians.”

“I am truly honored to be offered this opportunity to serve the governor and the Commonwealth,” said Snavely. “I will do everything in my power to further our progress on protecting the environment while helping nurture a healthy economy.”

Snavely served recently as the president of eastern U.S. operations for Arch Coal, Inc. Prior to that, he served as executive vice president of mining operations of International Coal Group. Snavely is a distinguished alumnus in mining engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech).

He and his wife, Shari, a native of Inez, live in Lexington. They have one adult daughter, Kathryn.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Carl Nathe, 859-257-3200; Ann Mary Quarandillo, 859-257-0750.