About
Meet the CoalAshMan
John Ward is CoalAshMan. Since 1998, he has been a leading voice for recycling coal ash as a preferred alternative to disposal.
During his first decade in the coal ash industry, he served as the chief marketing officer for America’s largest ash marketer. Since 2008, he has independently consulted with leading coal ash marketers, technology developers, and industry associations. He has chaired the American Coal Ash Association’s Government Relations Committee for nearly two decades and in 2012 was the first recipient of that organization’s Champion Award. He is also editor of ACAA’s popular weekly e-newsletter The Phoenix – Innovation, Excellence, and Sustainability … Rising from the Ashes, which published its 700th issue in the summer of 2026.
John brings deep experience across the full coal value chain. He is a former board member and past president of the American Coal Council and previously served as Vice Chair of the National Coal Council federal advisory committee, where he has been appointed to terms by three different U.S. Secretaries of Energy. He also serves as Executive Director of the National Coal Transportation Association.
CoalAshMan’s views published on this website and related social media are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the associations and industry participants he consults with.