Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee’s resignation from Massey Energy’s board of directors was announced Friday. Gee was not available to speak over the weekend.

“As for Massey Energy, he has no further comment than what was in his retirement letter,” said Kate Wolford, assistant to the president.

According to a press release from the coal mining company, Gee’s resignation is effective July 1.”

Massey Energy appreciates and understands Dr. Gee’s desire to devote his attention to Ohio,” said chairman and CEO Don Blankenship in a press release. “Since 2000, Dr. Gee has served Massey Energy with distinction. His wisdom, advice and experience will be greatly missed.”

Gee served on Massey’s Executive Committee, Audit Committee and Governance and Nominating Committee, according to Massey’s 2008 annual report. Gee also was chair of the Safety, Environmental and Public Policy Committee. For his service, Gee receives more than $200,000, according to The Associated Press.

“Without [the salary, Gee] will become more receptive and neutral,” said Mattie Reitman of the Ohio Student Environmental Coalition. “I’m still concerned about the amount of stock he has.” As of March 20, Gee owns 28,191 shares of Massey stock, according to The Associated Press.

Ohio environmentalists are nonetheless proud of Gee’s decision.

“I think he made the right decision,” said Brian Rothenberg, the executive director of Progressive Ohio. “He can now be a true leader of green initiatives.”

Rothenberg said he believes that students such as those in OSEC, are the cause of this.

“The students he cares about most, that are engaged are active in creating dialogue about these issues,” Rothenberg said. “That had a lot to do with it.”

“I think the pressure from so many organizations showed that being on the board was not right,” Reitman said.

“I think Gordon Gee has expressed some real leadership in our energy future…he’s joined a really significant movement.”

Ohio environmentalists concern with Massey is far from over.

“In the end, the real problem is a rogue CEO of a company with a horrible mining reputation,” Rothenberg said. “It’s not about Gordon Gee but about Don Blankenship. It’s unfortunate that Gee’s name is associated with Blankenship, with a notorious CEO.”

Gee was unavailable for comment.


Everdeen Mason can be reached at [email protected].