Rich Nolan is president and chief executive officer of the National Mining Association (NMA). NMA is the national trade association for the U.S. mining industry and represents coal, metal and industrial mineral producers, mineral processors, equipment manufacturers and other suppliers of goods and services to the domestic mining industry. As president and CEO, he directs the association’s public policy efforts before Congress, regulatory agencies and the White House, and sets the association’s strategic agenda for media relations, grassroots communications and political involvement.
With more than 20 years of experience advocating on many natural resources sector issues, Mr. Nolan most recently served NMA for 13 years as Senior Vice President of Government and Political Affairs. His three decades in government affairs and political advocacy have spanned a number of industries including mining, forestry, paper, chemicals and agriculture. His career began on Capitol Hill, where he served as an aide to several members of Congress and worked as an advisor on multiple campaign committees. After his time on the Hill, he held leadership roles at associations and firms focusing on natural resources and environmental issues, including the American Forest & Paper Association, CropLife America and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, among others.