On January 17, 2014, the Board of Westmoreland Coal Company appointed Mr. Keith E. Alessi an officer of the Company with the title of Executive Chairman. Mr. Alessi, age 59, has held several different positions with Westmoreland since 2007, including President, Chief Executive Officer and other various interim roles. Beginning in April 2013, Mr. Alessi assumed the Executive Chairman position on the Board concentrating on strategic issues, acquisitions and capital opportunities.

In order to take full advantage of Mr. Alessi's depth of experience, he has shifted to an employee role in Edmonton, Alberta, to facilitate an efficient transition of the Sherritt business into Westmoreland. For the bulk of the past seven years, Mr. Alessi has led the Company as its President and CEO, including guiding the Company's acquisition of the Kemmerer Mine from Chevron in 2012. Prior to joining the Company, Alessi had served as a senior executive officer for over 30 years at a number of public companies.