Awards & Scholarships

Raymond Ernest Salvati was born in Monongah, West Virginia, in 1899. He received a degree of B.S. in Mining Engineering in 1922 from West Virginia University. Immediately thereafter, he began his long career with Island Creek Coal Co., starting as trackman, soon becoming Mine Foreman and, in 1924, Superintendent over five mines.

In 1926, Mr. Salvati was transferred to Pond Creek Pocahontas Co., (since merged with Island Creek) as superintendent of Mine No. 1. In 1928 he was appointed Manager and, in 1932, was elected a Vice-President and Director.

Mr. Salvati rejoined Island Creek in 1935, retaining his status with Pond Creek. From 1936 to 1949, he became, successively, General Manager, Vice-President and Director. He then became President of both companies and their subsidiaries. In 1956, he was elected Vice-Chairman of Island Creek Coal Sales Co., the sales subsidiary of Island Creek.

During 1959, Mr. Salvati was President of the American Mining Congress; and is a Director of several companies as well as member of the Board of many organizations. He has been a Member of AIME since 1936 and was Chairman of its Coal Division last year.

In 1958, Mr. Salvati was selected as one of the eight prominent business and industrial leaders in the United States to receive the Horatio Alger Award. In 1959, he was selected as "West Virginia Son of the Year." He lives in Huntington, West Virginia.