Dennis E. Wheeler

Dennis E. Wheeler

From 2003: "Mr. Wheeler is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation (NYSE: CDE), the world’s largest primary silver producer, as well as a significant producer of gold, headquartered in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho with mining interests in Nevada, Idaho, Alaska, Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. The Company is recognized as an industry leader in environmental stewardship and safety in the United States and Chile.

"Mr. Wheeler serves on the Board of Directors and is Chairman of the Audit Committee of Sierra Pacific Resources (NYSE: SRP), engaged in energy and utility services. He is a former President and a current member of the Executive Committee of the Silver Institute, the international organization of miners, refiners, fabricators and manufacturers, and he also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Mining Association.

"In June of 2000 he was the first recipient of the International Society of Mine Safety Professionals’ Leadership Award for his leadership role to improve safety. Mr. Wheeler is a recipient of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers Environmental Conservation Distinguished Service Award, that association's highest environmental award.

"Mr. Wheeler is the newly named Chairman of the Center for the New West, an integrated political and issue advocacy institute. He is a member of the National Environmental Education & Training Foundation’s Board of Trustees and a member of the Board of Governors of the Alaska SeaLife Center, the world’s first marine science facility. In addition, Mr. Wheeler serves on the Board of the Idaho Chapter of the Nature Conservancy.

"He was born and raised in north Idaho and is a graduate of the University of Idaho, with degrees in both business and law. He practiced law for 12 years in Wallace, Idaho upon graduation. Mr. Wheeler has served the State of Idaho as President of the State Board of Education and is a past Chairman of the University of Idaho College of Law Advisory Council.

"In 2000, Mr. Wheeler was one of thirteen charter members of the “Friends of West Point”. In May of 1998 he was inducted into the University of Idaho’s Alumni Hall of Fame and he is also the recipient of the "Significant Sig" award of Sigma Chi Fraternity."

• Former Director, Center for Democracy