Skelly and Loy expands into the Appalachians of Virginia

HARRISBURG, PENN. — The principals of Skelly and Loy announced that Skelly and Loy is expanding its operations into Wise, Va., located in the southwestern portion of Virginia in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains and Central Appalachian Coal Region.

This office location will allow Skelly and Loy the opportunity to more effectively offer its engineering and environmental services to the central Appalachian region. Skelly and Loy has been providing mining engineering services throughout the United States and around the world for the last 41 years. The firm’s Mining Services Group is staffed with experienced mining engineers (surface and underground), geologists, and scientists that can guide proposed and active mining operations from a pre-feasibility stage through geologic investigations, detailed design, permitting (state and federal), and reclamation. Its mining engineering services are offered to mining companies, electric utilities relying on coal as a boiler fuel, financial institutions, and support industries. The company is recognized globally for its experience and expertise.

One of the other driving forces behind this expansion is the addition of Phillip C. Mullins, P.E., a long-time resident of Wise and veteran of the coal industry. Mullins grew up in the coalfields of southwest Virginia, working at his father’s surface mining operations during summer breaks from high school. After graduating from high school, he attended Virginia Tech where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mining engineering. While at Virginia Tech, Mullins received a partial scholarship from Massey Coal Co. and worked underground at their Pike County, Ky., operations. Upon graduation from Virginia Tech in 1983, Mullins took a job as chief engineer with Ambrose Branch Coal Co. in Pound, Va. He joined Maxim Engineering in 1987, was promoted to vice president of Maxim in 1988, and held that position until 1995 when he founded Appalachian Technical Services (ATS). Under his leadership from 1995 until 2004, ATS grew to a regional, multidisciplinary consulting firm with more than 50 employees. Seeking a new challenge, Mullins sold his interest in ATS to its current owners and took a position as senior mining engineer for Cumberland Resources, where he worked until recently joining Skelly and Loy.

Mullins is a registered professional engineer in Virginia, Kentucky, and West Virginia. He is a registered member of the Society of Mining Engineers and a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He is currently pursuing his Master of Science degree in mining engineering (with an environmental emphasis) at Virginia Tech. Mullins served on the Commission on Science and Engineering at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise as well as an adjunct faculty member.