Executive Compensation at the National Mining Association

The National Mining Association (NMA) is a trade association that represents the interests of miners before Congress, the judiciary, the administration, federal agencies and the media. A tax-exempt, non-profit 501 (c) 6, the NMA’s stated mission is to “build support for public policies that will help America fully and responsibly utilize its coal and mineral resources.”

Headquartered in Washington, DC, the NMA has a membership of more than 250 corporations and organizations. By most accounts, coal mining is a shrinking industry because natural gas and renewable facilities are cheaper, although Wyoming and West Virginia may have a different opinion since they are the two states with the largest coal production.

The NMA is a small trade organization that raises about $9 million annually, most of which comes from membership dues.  Over the past few years they have been spending more than they have raised (fighting a losing battle by most accounts) resulting in net assets shrinking from $43 million in 2016 to $30 million in 2018.

In 2018, expenses totaled $15 million with the largest expenses being compensation ($8 million), fees for lobbying and other services ($4 million), office-related expenses ($2 million), and travel and conferences ($1 million).

31 employees received $8 million in compensation which equates to an average compensation of about $250,000. However, only 18 of the 31 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation which means there were some highly compensated employees:

• $1,194,505:  Harold Quinn, President and CEO
• $  593,617:  Merlyn Nolan, SVP, Gov’t Affairs
• $  429,303:  Bruce Watzman, Secretary (thru 9/18)
• $  425,958:  Ashley Burke, SVP, Communications
• $  403,445:  Mary K Sweeney, Secretary (thru 9/18)
• $  296,205:  Moya Phelleps, SVP, Membership and Meetings
• $  287,927:  Gerald C Mullins, VP, Gov’t and State Aff
• $  281,481:  Roger Roberts, Treasurer 
• $  263,177:  Virginia K Hamisevicz, VP, Gov’t Affairs
• $  258,141:  Tawny Bridgeford, Assistant General Counsel
• $  204,246:  Amanda E Aspatore, Associate General Counsel
• $  203,790:  Veronika Shime, VP, International Policy

The 12 most highly compensated employees received $5 million in compensation, or an average of $600,000 each. The most highly compensated employee received $1.2 million, which represents 13% of total revenue.  If total compensation was adjusted to exclude the 12 most highly compensated employees, then 13 employees received nearly $3 million in compensation which equates to an average of more than $200,000 each. This is inconsistent with the information on the Form 990 that shows that only 18 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation.

5 of the 12 (42%) most highly compensated employees are male while 7 of the 12 (58%) are female.

NMA paid for health or social club dues or initiation fees. Specifically, the CEO is provided club benefits (club dues used for valid business purposes) although the amount is not disclosed.

Moya Phelleps ($35,000) and Merlyn Nolan ($60,000) participated or received payment from a supplemental non-qualified retirement plan.

14 independent contractors received more than $100,000 with the five most highly compensated listed below (all for consulting services):

• $607,492:  Daniel J Edelman, Inc., of Chicago, IL for consulting
• $387,400:  MDG, of San Diego, CA for consulting
• $373,500:  Hall-Erikson, Inc., of Westmont, IL for consulting
• $264,290:  Troutman Sanders, of Washington, DC for consulting
• $216,000:  Raffaniello and Associates, of Washington, CD for consulting

In summary, the NMA is a small trade association in Washington, DC whose CEO received $1.2 million in compensation in 2018.  The 12 most highly compensated employees received a total of $5 million.

To read the IRS Form 990 (2018), click here.