2025 KCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
INDIVIDUAL DIRECTORS
Dan Barron
Alliance Coal LLC
Jeff Brock
Alliance Coal LLC
Nick Carter
Alliance Coal LLC
Terry Marsh
Alliance Coal LLC
Jesse Parrish
Alliance Coal LLC
Jeff Baird
Blackhawk Mining LLC
Don Gibson
Blackhawk Mining LLC
Tracy Goff
Blackhawk Mining LLC
Neil Mosley
Blackhawk Mining LLC
Kelly Short
Blackhawk Mining LLC
Fran Taglia
Bluegrass Natural Resources
Jack Whitaker
Hazard Coal Corporation
Charles Justice
Jigsaw Enterprises, LLC
Stephen Hamilton
Nally & Hamilton Enterprises
Mike Sharp
Alden Resources
Board Officers
Sam McKown
President
Terry Marsh
Vice Chair
Don Gibson
Chair
ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS
Mark Heath
Spilman Thomas & Battle
Lee Heffley
Brandeis Machinery & Supply Company
David Lamb
Associated Engineers, Inc.
Clay Larkin
Dentons Bingham Greenebaum, LLP
Christian Palich
Eagle Summit Resources, LLC
B. J. Sturgill
Steptoe & Johnson
G. Brian Wells
Wyatt Tarrant & Combs LLP
Sam McKown
Sam McKown was named President of the Kentucky Coal Association in July 2025.
Prior to joining KCA, Sam was a national political consultant and pollster. In 2023, he served as Political Director for U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s presidential campaign. He has also served as an aide to House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) in Washington, D.C., and as an aide to Governor Bevin in Kentucky.
Sam grew up in Ohio County, Kentucky, and is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
