Energy Expert to Speak on Campus Oct. 19

The Fairmont State Foundation is hosting a speaker at Fairmont State University on Wednesday, Oct. 19, to share with students about his experiences in business and life. The event is co-sponsored by the FSU School of Business and the FSU College of Science and Technology.

A Fairmont State alumnus with a more than 38-year career in the energy industry, Dr. William Mark Hart is chairman of the Austin Oil and Gas Company with locations in Colorado, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Kentucky and Australia. Hart is also CEO and president of MATH Energy Oil, Gas & Drilling with a focus in coal, oil, gas, gasification, coal-to-power, coal-to-liquids and coal-to-gas, minerals mining coal bed methane, oil/gas production and renewables.

“I am a great believer in the relationship between education and career advancement and believe that it leads to improving the standard of living for all involved – one’s self, family, co-workers and many other associates. I thought it would be great to return to FSU to speak about my journey in life as it relates to my education and career in that it might inspire and help some of the up and coming young FSU students in their journey in life,” Hart said.

Hart will speak at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, in the Falcon Center third floor conference rooms.

“When Mark offered his time to return to campus and tell his story, I felt it would be a great opportunity for current students and young alumni. Mark, a Fairmont native, has had a tremendous career that should resonate well with the current generation of students,” said RJ Gimbl, President of the Fairmont State Foundation.

Hart earned four degrees from Fairmont State: an Associate in Science degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology in 1974, a Regents Bachelor of Arts degree in 1979, a Bachelor of Engineering Technology degree in Mining Engineering Technology in 1986 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology in 1988.

He also holds an M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix (1991), a Master of Science degree in Mining Engineering from West Virginia University (1994) and a Ph.D. in Mining Engineering and Environmental Management from the Colorado School of Mines (1997). Hart is an adjunct professor at the Colorado School of Mines and an MSHA Certified Electrical Instructor. He holds two patents for stress distribution in rock lithology and CMLADS.

Hart served as the Chief Executive Officer of Austin Exploration Limited from January 2010 to July 2015 and as its President and Managing Director until July 2015. He served as Senior Vice President at NRG Energy from 2001 to 2006. At NRG, he oversaw the international business operations as president of 34 power plants in Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sardegna Energy LTD. Prior to joining NRG, he served as the Vice President and Managing Director of Newmont Mining’s Canadian operations, as well as Vice President of Business Processes and Operations worldwide for the $12 billion mining giant. He also worked for Cyprus Amax Minerals Corporation in various engineering and operations as Vice President and Senior Vice President.

Hart’s career in the industry began with Consol Energy. Hart has also been the chairman of four boards in various countries. He has been Chairman of the Board at AusTex Exploration Inc. since October 2010. He served as the Non Executive Chairman of Austin Exploration Limited from July 2015 until July 2016, serving as its Executive Chairman from August 2011 to February 2012. Hart was Director of Austin Exploration Limited from September 2010 until July 2016.

College of Science and TechnologySchool of BusinessDr. William Mark HartFairmont State Foundation