Tom Falkie, a native of Mt Carmel, PA is retired President and CEO of Berwind Natural Resources Corp. He received his BS, MS and PhD degrees from Penn State. A pioneer in the use of computers and operations research in mine planning, he joined International Minerals and Chemical in various engineering and management positions in its headquarters and Florida phosphate operations. He then became Professor and Head of the Mineral Engineering and Mineral Engineering Management programs at Penn State. From 1974-1977 he was Head of the US Bureau of Mines. He then joined Berwind. Falkie served on the Boards of Foote Minerals and Cyprus Amax, NMA, CEED, NCA and the Keystone Coal Association. He is a past chairman of the American Coal Foundation. Falkie is a Past President and Distinguished Member of SME and Past President and Honorary Member of AIME. He was awarded the Erskine Ramsey and Charles F Rand awards. He is a member of NAE and a past member of its Governing Council and Industry Advisory Committees. He is Chairman of the Board of Governors of the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum. He is a Distinguished alum of Penn State. He is author of over 200 publications, lectures, and speeches.