Kentucky.gov

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 17, 2005) – Governor Ernie Fletcher has appointed Ronald H. Hughes, a mine safety specialist with 39 years of mine experience, as director of the Division of Investigations in the Office of Mine Safety and Licensing, an agency of the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet (EPPC).

Hughes, of Pikeville, previously served as supervisory industrial hygienist with the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) in Pikeville. His career includes 32 years of government service, in which he developed, managed, implemented and enforced mine health and safety programs.  Previous positions within MSHA included acting district manager, acting engineering coordinator, acting electrical supervisor, district review coordinator, complaint processor, accident investigator and mine emergency response coordinator.

"We are very pleased to have Ronald Hughes working in this administration," stated EPPC Secretary LaJuana S. Wilcher.  "His extensive record as a mining health and safety manager is an asset to the cabinet."

“I would like to thank Governor Fletcher for this opportunity,” said Hughes.  “I look forward to working with Secretary Wilcher and other members of the cabinet as we build on their improvements in the areas of mine safety in the state.”

Hughes has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Marshall University and a master’s in public health from the University of Alabama-Birmingham. He has been certified as a mine foreman, MSHA and American Red Cross instructor, Kentucky firefighter, arson investigator and emergency medical technician.