Fred Palmer is Senior Vice President of Government Relations.  He joined Peabody in February 2001. The Government Relations department is responsible for advancing government policies in the United States and worldwide to unlock the potential for coal as the world’s future fuel. Prior to joining Peabody Energy, he served for five years as General Counsel and 15 years as Chief Executive Officer of Western Fuels Association, Inc. 

Fred began his career in 1969 in Washington, D.C., on the staff of Arizona Congressman Morris K. Udall where he served for two years. He was a partner in Duncan, Brown, Weinberg & Palmer, a Washington, D.C.-based law firm, for eight years where he specialized in utility, environmental, and resource law.

He is the 2004 recipient of the Erskine Ramsay Medal Award from the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration. He is a member of the National Coal Council, Executive Committee, and Chairman, Coal Policy Committee. He is Peabody Energy's representative on the Board of Directors of the World Coal Association and past Chairman. He also represents Peabody on the Board of the FutureGen Alliance. Additionally, he is a member of the California and D.C. Bar Associations.

Fred attended the University of Arizona, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1966 and Juris Doctorate with honors in 1969. There he was inducted into the Order of the Coif honor society in 1969 and served as Symposium Editor of the Arizona Law Review.

Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU) is the world’s largest private-sector coal company and a global leader in sustainable mining and clean coal solutions. The company serves metallurgical and thermal coal customers in more than 25 countries on six continents.