Drexel Short, BSCE 1978 Hall of Distinction - Inducted in 2026

Drexel Short is a 1978 graduate of the University of Kentucky with a degree in civil engineering, specializing in mining. Presently retired (2014), his career spanned 36 years. Immediately after graduation, he worked for Island Creek Coal Company in their management intern program. After obtaining adequate underground experience, he earned his assistant mine foreman papers and began supervising an active mining section. In 1981, he went to work at Massey Energy and continued with Massey Energy until 2007. While with Massey, Short served as Mine Foreman, Superintendent, V. P. of Operations, President of Elk Run Coal Company, and Senior V.P. of Operations. In 2007, Short joined Foresight Energy (Chris Cline Companies) as Chief Operating Officer. Working with Foresight Energy, mainly in Illinois, Drexel helped build a world-class operation until retirement in 2014.

Drexel had many exciting adventures during his career. Most of his career was spent assisting in expanding operations at both Massey Energy and Foresight Energy. These expansions required close coordination between both third-party and in-house engineering. Drexel believes his most treasured achievement during his working career is the hope that he had some positive impact on the development of the many wonderful co-workers he worked with over his thirty-six-year career. It all started here at the University of Kentucky.

Drexel now resides in Lake Norman, North Carolina, with his wife, Lori, and son Trace.