Executive Director’s Message By Ches Blevins: A great time to say THANKS!

A great time to say THANKS!

From an ambitious and successful start to 2019 to an ambitious and FULL, EXCITING Summer and Fall of 2019, the TMRA Dance Card is full. It’s up to you, our TMRA Members, prospective members and Partners (TACA, RMCMI and others on this TEAM) to partner up and “dance”! And while there is ALWAYS the need for Commitment, Support and Participation, it is also a great time to say THANKS!

Our Texas Legislative Session recently completed its business, Sine Die, and there is no present expectation of the Governor calling a Special Session. TMRA and its Partners were, thanks to all of you and the work of our Government Affairs Committee headed by Mance Zachary, very engaged and effective in informing our Legislators and protecting your interests. There were no Bills passed that are seen as adverse to our TMRA Member interests. This is never an easy task. While TMRA did work with Legislators on a Bill relating to Railroad Commission Surface Mining Division permitting which ultimately did not make it through the process, the effort allowed TMRA to work closely with the Railroad Commission Leadership and Legislators to inform and educate on the value of our industries to Texas.

While the Legislature was in Session TMRA, with the Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute, held its Spring Event in May at Hideaway Lakes near Tyler. For the second year this location worked out perfectly for our Members and was very well attended AND supported with Sponsorships. With our Speakers including Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian and Jackson Walker Partner Mike Nasi, and our Support Member-Owner/Operator opportunity to better understand needs and opportunities, our feedback has been very positive. For those able to join in, tell us what worked well and where we can improve.  For those that couldn’t join us this year, some because of the Texas Legislature being in Session, plan on being a part in 2020. We are ALL better when we can get together!

On May 27th, as our TexLeg Session ended, TMRA once again Hosted its now Best of the Best Sine Die Party at The Long Center overlooking Lady Bird Lake. The weather was just what we needed for this outdoor event. This year we had 3 Co-Hosts: Chevron, Engineering Resources and Russell & Sons. Without these three AND many more Sponsors including a number of TMRA Members, an event like this would just not be possible. In addition to your support with sponsorships, many of you joined some 950 others to make this one heck of a Party headed by our entertainment which included LC Rocks and the always great Spazmatics. Krissy Lilljedahl and Cathy Pierce coordinated this very involved effort and our Government Affairs Committee stepped up with the work of “encouraging” sponsorships. Look for pictures of the event in this issue of the eNewsletter under the subhead EVENT RECAP. 

As I mentioned starting out this piece, one can never say “THANKS” enough, especially when our 2019 has been so very successful thanks to all of you! Our Life and Livelihood in Mining has challenges, for sure, and opportunities if we work together and stay engaged. With that, take note of what’s on our Calendar and join in.

TMRA TEACHER WORKSHOPS FOR 2019

Coal Workshops
June 9-14, North American Coal's Sabine Mine - near Longview, TX
June 16-21, Walnut Creek Mine - Kiewit Group - based out of Bryan/ College Station, TX
July 14-19, San Miguel Mine, near Floresville, TX
July 21-26, Luminant's Kosse Mine, based out of Bryan/College Station, TX

Industrial Minerals
June 24-28, based in Round Rock, TX

Uranium Workshop
July 21-26, based in Corpus Christi, TX
For more information, contact:
Francye Hutchins, TMRA
geowiz@tmra.com
512.431.2610

115th RMCMI Annual Meeting & Conference
June 23-25, 2019
Vail, Colorado | Hotel Talisa

2019 Partial List of Speakers
Governor Mark Gordon, State of WyomingThe Honorable Lou Hrkman, Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Katie Sweeney, Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs, and General Counsel
The Honorable Charles McConnell, Executive Director,
Carbon Management & Energy Sustainability, University of Houston
Michael J Nasi, Partner, Jackson Walker, LLP
Randy Eminger, Executive Director, Energy Policy Network
David Smaldone, President, Friends of Coal West

TMRA Annual Meeting
Hotel Galvez
October 20-22, 2019
Galveston, Texas

Not only can TMRA use you, it’s in your interest, the interest of your business, to participate and help us remain strong. Here’s wishing you a wonderful, safe and productive rest of your 2019!

Take care, 
Ches Blevins
TMRA Executive Director