Kurt Kost is President of Alpha, a position he has held since August 2009. Prior to that time, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of Foundation from January 2008 to August 2009, Executive Vice President from June 2007 to January 2008, and Senior Vice President, Western Operations and Process Management of Foundation from December 2005 until June 2007. From 1980 through 2005, Mr. Kost held various positions in engineering and operations with Foundation and its predecessor and affiliated companies including RAG Coal West, Inc. Kurt earned his Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and has completed Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program.