Biographical Sketches of Committee Members - Coal Waste Impoundments: Risks, Responses, and Alternatives - page 178

(1972) and a M.S. in civil engineering (1979), both from Colorado State
University. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the
Society of Mining Engineers, and chair of the Tailings Dam Committee, U.S.
Society on Dams (formerly the U.S. Commission on Large Dams). Mr.
Strachan has authored several papers on mine facilities, site investigation,
design, and reclamation.
RICHARD J.SWEIGARD , P.E., is chair and professor in the Department
of Mining Engineering, University of Kentucky. Prior to his academic
positions, he was an engineer for Consol Coal Company and a consulting
engineering geologist. Dr. Sweigard's research falls under the category of
environmental impacts of mining, including the alleviation of excessive
compaction of reconstructed soil, postmining land use, slope stabilization on
abandoned mine lands, and disposal of coal combustion by-products. He is a
registered engineer in Pennsylvania. His professional activities include
membership in the Society of Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, and the
American Society for Surface Mining and Reclamation; and formerly the
American Society of Civil Engineers.
JACK TISDALE is a self-employed coal mine safety specialist, with a
specialty in mine safety programs, Mine Safety and Health Administration
(MSHA) regulations, and accident analysis. He is retired from MSHA, where he
became chief of the Safety Division and program manager of the Accident
Investigation (1991-1997) and worked as a safety specialist (1988- 1991). He
received the Department of Labor Award for Distinguished Career Service
(1994). While working at MSHA, he also directed several major MSHA special
projects including the Bleeder and Gob Ventilation Training Course, the
Surface Haulage Task Force, and the implementation of the 1992 Mine
Ventilation Regulations. Previously, he developed safety and training programs
while working for several companies within the coal mining industry, including
Eastern Associated Coal Corporation (1977- 1982), Pennsylvania Mines
Corporation (1982-1985), and Island Creek Corporation (1986-1988). Mr.
Tisdale earned a B.S. degree in mining engineering from the University of
Illinois. He served as a commissioned officer with the U.S. Navy Reserve
(1955-1957). He was a federal coal mine inspector for the Bureau of Mines in
Kentucky, Virginia, and Indiana (1962- 1971) and the sub-district manager and
district manager in Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia (1971-1977).
DAVID R.WUNSCH , P.O., is currently the state geologist and director of
the New Hampshire Geological Survey. He is also an adjunct professor at