Scott Rotruck was born on August 7, 1955, in Huntington, West Virginia, and grew up in Keyser, West Virginia. He attended Potomac State College before transferring to West Virginia University (WVU) in 1976, where he attempted to join the football team, but an Achilles tendon injury ended his athletic career. Rotruck then pursued a career with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, where he worked as an engineer and later moved into management after completing his MBA. He subsequently worked for Norfolk Southern Railroad and then transitioned into the coal industry, serving as president of the Maryland Coal Association and working with Anchor Energy. In 1996, Rotruck relocated to Morgantown, West Virginia. His career further evolved as he took on roles with Chesapeake Energy and later Spilman Thomas & Battle law firm as the director of transportation and energy services. Rotruck has also been involved in various business ventures and served as chair of the West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust. He is married and has three children and a granddaughter.

Scope and Content Note
The interview with Scott Rotruck, conducted on December 29, 2013, covers various aspects of his life and career. Rotruck discusses his early years in Keyser, highlighting the community's low unemployment and his family's involvement in the local economy through his father's work as a funeral director. He reflects on his educational journey, including his time at Potomac State College and WVU, and his early career decisions influenced by financial constraints and job opportunities in the railroad industry. Rotruck details his career progression from an engineer at Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to management roles at Norfolk Southern Railroad and his eventual shift to the coal industry. He describes his experiences as president of the Maryland Coal Association and his work with Anchor Energy. The interview also covers his tenure at Chesapeake Energy, where he was involved in significant developments in the shale gas industry, and his current role at Spilman Thomas & Battle. Throughout the interview, Rotruck emphasizes the importance of management skills, the impact of technological advancements in the energy sector, and his contributions to economic development initiatives in West Virginia.