Patrick James is the Associate Director of the Center for Mine Safety & Health Excellence at the University of Utah.  In this role, he supports both RMCOEH and the University in supporting the mining safety & health programs.  His career background includes providing strategic leadership to achieve sustainable best in class performance in HSE, risk management and sustainability programs across global mining businesses.  His professional experience spans senior leadership roles at Rio Tinto, Vale Base Metals, Lehigh Hanson and PacifiCorp.  Prior to joining RMCOEH and the University of Utah, he held various leadership roles such as Sr. Vice President or Vice President of health, safety, environment, risk, and sustainability in major mining and materials companies.  In these roles he provided leadership, strategy, development and implementation of systems, polices, and initiatives to achieve and maintain sustainable performance.  Additional to these roles, he also performed as the interim Chief Operations Officer for Vale Base Metals for their international nickel and copper operations.  He has also served in senior Human Resource roles at various stages of his career.  His experience includes underground and surface mining, building materials and the electric utility industries.