Michael D. Day – 2016 Mining Engineering Foundation Distinguished Alumnus
Mike is a native of a rural community in Leslie County, Ky., and a third generation coal miner. He attended Leslie
County High School where he graduated with honors in 1988. He attended Hazard Community College for one
year and then transferred to the University of Kentucky where he graduated in December 1992 with a Bachelor of
Science in Mining Engineering with Distinction. Mike was inducted into Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society,
while attending UK.
Mike is a licensed Professional Engineer in Kentucky and West Virginia. He served as chair and vice-chair of the
University of Kentucky Mining Engineering Foundation board and currently serves on the executive board of that
group. He also served on executive boards of Kentucky Coal Association and West Virginia Coal Association and on
advisory committees for Marshall University College of Engineering and Boone County Vocational School. Mike is
a Kentucky Colonel, a lifetime member of the UK Alumni Association and is a member of UK’s Fellows Society.
Mike has been involved in the mining engineering program and Mining Engineering Foundation Board since his
graduation. He worked with several mining engineering classes at UK through mine tours and guest speaking
engagements at the university. Mike led the recruiting efforts for numerous companies with a specific focus on
the mining engineering department, and has worked with mining engineering professors throughout his career
providing direct assistance and support on many research projects to improve the mining profession. In addition,
Mike has partnered with the department on several fund raising events.
Mike’s mining career began with LEECO/James River Coal in London, Ky., as an underground Industrial mining
engineer. He was a member of the 1993 National Mine Rescue Championship Team.
Mike joined Arch Coal in 1995 and worked at operations in Kentucky and West Virginia. He held various positions
with Arch Coal over a ten year period including production supervisor, superintendent, mine manager, manager of
engineering and director of process improvement. While at Arch Coal, he directed the corporate engineering
recruiting program with a specific focus on hiring and developing new engineers for the coal mining profession.
While mine manager, his operation received the OSM Director’s Award for Excellence in Reclamation.
In 2006, Mike joined Magnum Coal as general manager of the Logan County operation. In 2007, Mike was
promoted to the position of director of operations for Magnum Coal. While under his supervision, the Logan
County operation received the MSHA Sentinels of Safety Award for Large Surface Mine.
In 2008, Mike joined Patriot Coal, where he held a number of senior level positions including vice president of
operations and senior vice president of engineering and operations. In 2013, the board of directors elected Mike
to serve as Patriot’s executive vice president of operations, and in 2015 elected him to the position of chief
operating officer. Over the last several years, Mike has worked with investment banks, board of directors,
governmental agencies and federal and state delegations.
Mike currently holds the position of senior vice president of WV Technical Services for Blackhawk Mining where he
is working on acquisitions, engineering, mine planning, new projects and environmental affairs. Mike is also
directly engaged with congressional and state delegations on legislation to benefit the coal industry.
He is involved in his community including major projects to benefit youth and charity organizations including
supplying computers, books, and coats to local elementary schools, participating in trout stocking events for local
children and serving as a celebrity waiter at the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia. He worked with other
community leaders to construct a turf field in Madison, received the 2011 Director’s Award from the West Virginia
Coal Festival and also works with local chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation and Ducks Unlimited.
Mike is married to Jacalyn Day, a UK College of Education graduate. They reside in Madison, W.Va., with their two
children, Andrew (17) and Ashley (13). Mike’s parents, David and Betty Day, are residents of Leslie County, Ky.
Mike and his family attend Bible Baptist Church in Danville, W.Va. He enjoys fishing, hunting, traveling with his
family and spending time at their Lake Cumberland vacation home.