Robert E. Murray (1940–2020) was an American coal mining executive who founded Murray Energy Corporation in 1988, growing it into the largest privately held coal company in the United States. He began his career at North American Coal Corporation (NACC) in 1967, rising to president and CEO before leaving in 1987 to start his own company. As CEO of Murray Energy, he became a prominent advocate for the fossil fuel industry and a vocal opponent of environmental regulations, especially those under the Obama administration aimed at addressing climate change, which he publicly denied was human-caused. He lobbied politicians, donated to Republican campaigns, and organized events criticizing policies like the Clean Power Plan. His leadership saw Murray Energy file for bankruptcy in 2019 amid financial struggles, after which he stepped down as CEO. Murray was known for his influence in energy policy networks and faced criticism from environmental groups for prioritizing profits over sustainability.