April 29, 2025 - James McHugh is the new deputy assistant secretary for policy at the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

McHugh was most recently an attorney with the Pence Law Firm, beginning in 2013. The Charleston, WV-based firm’s website states its lawyers offer “guidance and representation to mining companies across the United States.”

James McHugh

McHugh retired as a colonel with the U.S. Army National Guard’s military police and is a veteran of the Iraq War. He served as U.S. Marine Corps captain and judge advocate.

Additionally, McHugh was a prosecutor for Jackson County, WV, from January 2009 to December 2012.

McHugh joins Patricia Silvey as deputy assistant secretaries. Silvey has served as MSHA’s deputy assistant secretary for operations since December 2010.

McHugh's official resume can be viewed here.