On Nov 12, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting eight up-and-coming SME young professionals who were participating in the 6th annual Emerging Leaders Alliance conference in Reston, Virginia. The ELA is a partnership among nine leading engineering, research and science-based organizations that provide high quality individual leadership training.
I realize that with an aging workforce, developing young leaders is essential to our industry's future. The present group that SME is sponsoring includes representatives from NIOSH, University of Utah, John T. Boyd & Co., Newmont, PBS Coal, Cliffs Natural Resources, and Patten Mining.
I was impressed by the enthusiasm and dedication of these young industry professionals who are fully engaged in their companies and are excited to contribute their fresh new ideas to SME and the mining industry. Being around this group has reaffirmed by belief that the future of the mining industry is in good hands.
