ST. LOUIS, April 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Peabody Energy announced today it has appointed Randy M. Tucker as Vice President – Information Technology Services.  In this role, he will be responsible for delivering IT infrastructure services across the Peabody operating platform.  He will report to Senior Vice President – Information Technology Lina Young.  

Tucker will lead the selection and integration of technologies into business operations and will develop long-term technical strategy.  He also will direct the necessary global enterprise policies, programs and procedures to protect information systems assets.

Tucker is the former Vice President – Service Delivery at One Communications, where he was responsible for the service, support and implementation of technologies that led to significant business and cost improvements.  He also is former Director – Technology and Testing for London-based telecom provider BT, where he oversaw technology testing, networking and innovation platforms.

At the Missouri University of Science and Technology, Tucker served as Chief Information Officer, with responsibility for aligning IT with the university's academic, research, and administrative missions.  His efforts to implement an enterprise content repository strategy earned recognition from CIO Magazine's CIO 100 Awards.

Tucker has IT infrastructure, operations and engineering leadership experience with the Williams Companies and its subsidiaries, including Williams Communications Groups, Williams One Call Services and Williams Natural Gas Company.  He served in roles including Vice President – Operations and Engineering and Vice President – IT Infrastructure.  

Tucker earned a Master of Science degree in management from Baker University School of Professional and Graduate Studies in Overland Park, Kan., and a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology.  

A registered Professional Engineer in Oklahoma, he also is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and the Missouri Air National Guard.

Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU) is the world's largest private-sector coal company and a global leader in clean coal solutions.  With 2010 sales of 246 million tons and nearly $7 billion in revenues, Peabody fuels 10 percent of U.S. power and 2 percent of worldwide electricity.

CONTACT:
Meg Gallagher
(314) 342-7963

SOURCE Peabody Energy