Ronald Houchins
Triadelphia,WV
Summary
Proven leader in mine operations with a track record of enhancing safety and productivity at Consol Energy - Enlow Fork Mine. Excelled in mine planning and safety management, achieving the J. Brett Harvey Award for 1 million man-hours without a lost time accident. Skilled in fostering teamwork and innovation, significantly improving operational efficiency and employee morale. Strategic Supervisor with expertise prioritizing projects, planning workflow and managing employees to achieve operational goals. Resourceful individual with 24 years of active experience managing efforts within deadline-driven environments. Diplomatic individual with strong leadership and decision-making skills. Resourceful Site Supervisor tenacious about keeping operations on-schedule and on-budget. Successful at coordinating diverse resources and completing tough projects according to demanding timelines. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
46
46
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Mine Foreman
Consol Energy Enlow Fork Mine
10.2016 - Current
- Streamlined communication between shifts by establishing clear reporting procedures and documentation standards.
- Mentored 2 New Longwall Coordinators to be safe, productive and efficient while mining under Sandstone, mining in adverse conditions, setting up Final Power Moves and Longwall moves.
- Mentored many Foreman, hourly employees and contractors in Safe Work practices, how to be productive and efficient, and perform at a high level to acquire top notch quality results for all projects as well as daily jobs.
- I am always looking for ways to improve Safety of all aspects of Coal Mining.
- I always strive to foster a positive work environment and improve employee morale.
- I work hard to support all other Departments, Dept Heads, Shift Foreman, Foreman, Hourly Employees and Contractors to make sure they have all supplies, equipment, tools, and manpower to be successful on a shift by shift basis as well as major projects. I strive to always be a TEAM PLAYER as this is how our mine and our company will be most successful.
- Managed Oak Springs Supply Yard and Slope Bottom rehab projects. Organized supply yard and implemented new procedures to keep Inventory on hand to support the mine. Re-bolted and sprayed Gunnite on Roof and Ribs for 2,500 feet. Installed a new set of Electric K-Doors. Installed 11 new Prefab track switches (4 outside and replaced 7 underground) as well as excavated bottoms to gain adequate height for Locomotives to haul equipment and supplies. Re-bolted, excavated and installed new floor to roof supports along old Seal lines and Return Entries. Replaced stairs on old Overcasts in Return and Intake Airways.
- Constructed Seals for Pleasant Grove Portal and recovered necessary Equipment, HV Cable, Pipe, and other infrastructure and supplies.
- Managed Pleasant Grove Portal during final 2 CM Sections and final 2 Longwall panels.
- Managed massive influx of water in the E-Bleeder System at Pleasant Grove by building multiple Gathering Sumps to relieve pressure in lines, installing new lines and pumps.
- Served as CM Coordinator for E-31 and E-32 at PG Portal.
- Worked diligently to efficiently use all supplies and manpower and eliminate waste.
- I have extensive experience with Mine Ventilation, Roof Support, Track, Pumping Water, Equipment and Supply delivery, Construction Projects, Bleeder Systems, Coordinating with Maintenance, Longwall mining and CM mining.
Longwall Coordinator
Consol Energy - Enlow Fork Mine
09.2005 - 10.2016
- Along with my colleagues, we achieved the J. Brett Harvey Award for 1 million manhours without a lost time accident. During this time we were dealing with some of the worst conditions anywhere in the world according to multiple authorities.
- Along with my colleagues, set the Enlow Fork Annual Production Record and World Record at that time of 11.2 million clean tons of coal.
- Improved team productivity with regular communication and progress updates, fostering a collaborative work environment.
- I managed 2 and 3 Longwalls at the same time, in bad conditions, during much of my tenure as well as multiple Set ups and Recoveries.
- I developed a technique to efficiently mine under massive Sandstone Intrusions on the Longwall to greatly improve safety, dramatically increase production and reduce wear and tear on equipment.
- I developed techniques to safely and effectively mining in adverse roof conditions on the Longwall. This involved pulling every single Shield in completely, behind the lead drum on the Shearer as soon as the bits cleared each Shield tip, to mitigate rocks falling out of the roof. Next, the Panline is pushed tight to the trailing drum to prevent rocks from falling in front of the Panline thus stopping it from pushing out fully. Finally, as many Shields as necessary are double pulled with the Tips jammed into the Face above the cut line to eliminate any opening for rocks to fall. This was a major improvement from the historical practice of pulling every other Shield in half way behind the lead drum.
- I developed plans and techniques to safely perform major maintenance projects such as changing out Ranging Arms, Drums, Shield Caving Shields, Shield Lemniscate Links, Shield Pontoons and even swapping out the Shear at the TG. This involved extensive Roof and Rib bolting with Gopher Air Drills and Hydraulic Z-Drills.
- I developed improved techniques and plans for Longwall Moves in bad conditions such as: bolting the Mesh to the Roof when hanging it and improved bolting patterns during mesh passes/final pass using multiple Pneumatic (Gopher) Drills and Hydraulic (Z) Drills, as well as Fletcher Bolters. Improved Safety and speed in recovery of Shields/Drives using multiple Mules at HG and TG as well.
- I developed improved techniques and plans for mining in gassy conditions such as flooding the bottom with water, air deflector checks, using Cyclone Air Intensifiers to disperse gas, Gob walls in the Track and Intake entries to increase Air Volume across the face.
- I developed improved techniques and plans for dealing with soft bottoms on the Longwall Face such as using multiple Shieldmen to hand pull and fully baselift every other or every 3rd Shield to speed up mining and cleanliness of the Longwall face. I also figured out new, better ways to build bridges and fill quicksand type mud holes in outby roadways.
LW Foreman, CM Foreman, Assistant Shift Foreman
Consol Energy - Enlow Fork Mine
01.2000 - 09.2005
- My Longwall crews and Continuous Miner crews led Enlow Fork Mine and Consol Energy as a whole in Production, Safety and Compliance on many occasions. During that time, Enlow Fork had many months over 1 million clean tons of coal, many days over 60,000+ tons per day and Continuous Miner Shifts over 300' of mining.
- Ensured timely completion of projects by closely monitoring progress, adjusting schedules, and reallocating resources as needed.
- Supervised shift personnel effectively, assigning tasks based on skills and experience for maximum productivity.
- Enforced strict quality control measures to maintain product consistency and meet stringent industry requirements.
- Streamlined shift transitions by creating detailed handover procedures, reducing information gaps between shifts and increasing productivity levels.
P&M Hourly Employee
Consol Energy - Enlow Fork Mine
10.1993 - 01.2000
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Spent several years doing Longwall Setups, sending equipment out for rebuild and getting everything prepared for set up.
- Ran almost every piece of equipment in the mine.
- Worked on track, belts, cribs, ventilation stoppings and overcasts.
Time Study
Consol Energy - Eastern Region
05.1992 - 10.1993
- Worked as a Time study at various mines on Longwall Sections, Continuous Miner Sections and outby projects.
- Traveled to Missouri to do Time Studies at the Remington Arms plant, which was owned by DuPont, Consol's parent company at that time.
- Worked at Ireland Mine running a Picking Table and Rotary Dump during a Contract Strike.
Trainee / College Student
Consol Energy - Buchannon Mine
05.1988 - 05.1992
- Learned new materials, processes, and programs quickly.
- Shadowed senior team members to learn all related jobs and tasks.
- Participated in on-the-job training, working closely with supervisors and coworkers and asking appropriate questions.
- Attended training courses to build understanding of processes, techniques, and industry.
Construction Worker / Roller Skating Rink
Houchins Construction And Skateworld
06.1978 - 08.1987
- Worked for my Dad's Construction Company during all summers as a young boy until graduating High School.
- Worked at our family Roller Skating Rink in the evenings / night sessions from November 1981 until attending college at Virginia Tech.
- Learned to manage multiple businesses and deal with people, both the public and employees.
- Worked fast to complete tasks and meet daily deadlines.
- Followed instructions and procedures to complete assigned tasks.
- As a Construction worker, I mixed cement, laid block, laid brick, laid stone, framed houses, installed roofs, tile work, electrical work, drywall, painting, trim work, plumbing....basically all aspects of Home building, as well as Restaurants and Churches.
- Working at Skateworld, I was a Floor Guard, DJ, Concession / Food worker. I learned valuable lessons about having good people skills and serving the public.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Mining Engineering
Virginia Polytechnic Institute
Blacksburg, VA05.1992
Skills
- Leadership
- Strong Work Ethic
- Good People Skills
- Handling Pressure
- Problem Solving
- Adaptability
- Collaboration
- Critical Thinking
- Mine Planning
- Safety Management
- Technical knowledge
- Mining and Support Operations
Church activities, Family Time, Fitness, Fishing, Hunting, Camping, Hiking. I want to learn to Golf
I have always worked hard at my Job and Career with unwavering commintment to do what every was necessary to accomplish the desired goals and succeed. Outside of work, I hope to keep life balanced with Faith in God, my love and support for my Family and love of the outdoors and sports. It is always good to make time for Church to rejuvenate spiritually. It is good to have quality Family time to nurture and strengthen family bonds and support with my wife and children. I love to spend time outdoors with family and friends and to see them enjoy new things. I play a pretty mean game of mini golf, lol. I am interested in picking up real golf to enjoy time with friends and colleagues.
Timeline
Assistant Mine Foreman
Consol Energy Enlow Fork Mine
10.2016 - Current
Longwall Coordinator
Consol Energy - Enlow Fork Mine
09.2005 - 10.2016
LW Foreman, CM Foreman, Assistant Shift Foreman
Consol Energy - Enlow Fork Mine
01.2000 - 09.2005
P&M Hourly Employee
Consol Energy - Enlow Fork Mine
10.1993 - 01.2000
Time Study
Consol Energy - Eastern Region
05.1992 - 10.1993
Trainee / College Student
Consol Energy - Buchannon Mine
05.1988 - 05.1992
Construction Worker / Roller Skating Rink
Houchins Construction And Skateworld
06.1978 - 08.1987
Bachelor of Science - Mining Engineering
Virginia Polytechnic Institute
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