fbpx Gregory F. Wooten | University of Kentucky College of Engineering

Gregory F. Wooten

Gregory F. Wooten -- 2021 Mining Engineering Foundation Distinguished Alumnus 

Greg began his career in the coal business as a co-op student with Island Creek Coal Company in the mid-1970’s. He is a 1980 graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Engineering where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering.

Upon graduation, Greg accepted a position with Zapata Fuels, Inc. in eastern Kentucky, working as a planning and permitting engineer, transitioning into production and operations, with subsidiary operations Ridgeway Fuels and Triple Elkhorn Mining.

In 1982, Greg returned to his hometown of Logan, West Virginia to begin the next phase of his career in land/lease management with Dingess Rum Properties, where, for the next 25 years he managed all their privately held landowner interests for coal, oil, gas, aggregate and timber holdings as the Vice President, Chief Engineer and Chief Operating Officer.

In 2007, Greg joined publicly traded Natural Resource Partners, LP, serving initially as Vice President and Regional Manager, becoming Vice President & Chief Engineer in 2013 and in 2021 was named Senior Vice President & Chief Engineer, as part of the NRP Management team overseeing the company’s diversified portfolio holdings in 38 states and all major coal producing regions in the United States, covering approximately 10 million mineral acres. These assets consist primarily of coal royalty properties and coal-related transportation and processing assets. Other managed assets include industrial minerals, aggregates, oil and gas, and timber properties. Additionally, Greg serves as Executive Vice President for Western Pocahontas Properties Limited Partnership, Pocahontas Land Company, and Great Northern Properties, managing the private holdings of Corbin Robertson, Jr.

Mr. Wooten is a member of the Society of Mining, Metallurgical, and Exploration. He serves on various boards, including the University of Kentucky Mining Engineering Foundation Board (Board Member), President of the National Council of Coal Lessors, board member of the West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana and Montana Coal Associations, West Virginia Land and Mineral Owners Association, and Board of Directors of the Cabell Huntington Hospital.

Greg has also been active in his local community as a past member of the Logan County Chamber of Commerce (Board Member), the Chief Logan Recreation Foundation (Board Member), the Hatfield-McCoy Trail Authority (founding Board Member), the Hatfield-McCoy Convention and Visitors Bureau (Board Member) and President of the Logan County Board of Education.

Greg and his wife Kim have two daughters, Olivia, Linsey (Craig) and two grandsons (Jagger and Croix).