October 3, 2025 - After deciding against another political campaign last year, former U.S. Senator Joe Manchin has been named a director for one of the country’s top coal producers which has ties to West Virginia.

Manchin was appointed as an independent board member for Ramaco Resources earlier this month, according to a news release from the company.

Former U.S. Senator Joe Manchin joins coal company's board of directors

“Manchin brings decades of national leadership in energy policy and economic development to Ramaco and a deep understanding of the issues facing the U.S. coal industry,” the news release said. “As a former West Virginia governor, secretary of state and United States senator as well as past chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, he has been a steadfast advocate for metallurgical coal and the wider U.S. mining industry.”

Ramaco has an operations center in Charleston and two coal mining complexes in the southern portion of the state along with another in southeastern Virginia. The company is headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky.

In addition, the company produces elements and minerals at a mining site in Wyoming.

Manchin was quoted in the news release, linking his life experience in West Virginia to the values of the company.

Growing up in Farmington, West Virginia, I saw firsthand how coal shaped communities and powered our nation. Ramaco's work -both in producing metallurgical coal and advancing critical mineral development -reflects that same spirit of hard work, innovation, and national pride. As America looks to strengthen its supply chains and secure its future, I'm proud to support a company that's investing in our people, our resources and our resilience. It's an honor to join friends and fellow West Virginians in this mission.

Ramaco employs about 1,000 people and estimates it will produce more than 4 million tons of coal in 2025.

Amid talks of a potential run for the White House, Manchin decided against running for office in 2024 and his Senate seat was taken by Jim Justice.

Earlier this month, Manchin announced his memoir "Dead Center: In Defense of Common Sense" will be released in September.