John Zachwieja, vice president of Central Appalachian Operations for CONSOL Energy and a WVU alumnus, will speak as part of the WVU William N. Poundstone Lecture Series in the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, in Room 113 of the Mineral Resources Building.

His topic will beThe Buchanan Mine Fire.

Zachwieja graduated from WVU with a bachelor’s degree in mining engineering in 1974. He oversees mining operations in eastern Kentucky, southwestern Virginia and southern West Virginia .

He began working in the coal industry at the age of 18 and has worked for CONSOL Energy throughout his career.

He served as technical assistant to the vice president at CONSOL ’s Blacksville, Morgantown , Virginia and Moundsville operations and became superintendent of the Shoemaker mine in 1999.

In 2001, he oversaw the CONSOL -acquired underground mines of the American Electric Power Co. He was named general manager, overseeing the operation of international properties in Canada and Australia as well as properties in Utah , Illinois , Ohio and Kentucky , then became vice president of river operations prior to assuming his present assignment.

Following the lecture, Zachwieja will receive the Distinguished Engineer of Mines Award from the college’s Department of Mining Engineering. The award was established to recognize individuals who have made significant achievements in the field of mining engineering.

The lecture series was established in 2000 to honor Poundstone, a distinguished alumnus of WVU ’s mining program, retired executive vice president of Consolidation Coal Co. and member of the prestigious National Academy of Engineers.