Alliance Resource Partners LP's general partner Alliance Holdings GP LP named President and CEO Joseph Craft III chairman of its board of directors. Craft replaces John Neafsey, who retired effective Jan. 1.

In addition, Robert Druten was appointed to the general partner's board. Druten will serve as chairman of the conflict committee and a member of the audit and compensation committees. Druten is the chairman of the board of directors of the transportation holding company Kansas City Southern Industries Inc.

Tulsa, Okla.-based Alliance Resource Partners is the second-largest coal producer in the eastern U.S., producing coal from mining complexes in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland and West Virginia.