In October 2022, the industry lost an icon and friend when Michael J. Burrell, 76, passed away. He was born September 23, 1946 in Elkins, WV to the late Amory and Josephine Burrell. Mike is survived by his wife Lynn; his children Michael Burrell II, Meredith Burrell (David Kaufman), and Jeffery Burrell (Heather) as well as Linda Burrell and many step children and grandchildren.

Mike was a 38-year member of the ISEE and a recipient of the Blaster’s Leadership Award in 1998. He was active in many ISEE chapters, authoring many papers and presentations. Serving as was one of the original organizers of the MSHA Mine Blasting Safety and Application Seminar, Mike remained involved in the program for decades.

After graduating from West Virginia Institute of Technology in 1971, Mike began his industry career with the Leckie Smokeless Coal Co. and became the drilling and blasting supervisor. Mike shared many entertaining stories of those early days in the coal industry.

In 1979, Mike started at the Ensign-Bickford Co. (now Dyno Nobel) and was part of the early development and commercialization of nonelectric detonators. His training and mentoring of scores of young professionals was legendary during his 30 years, in addition to training untold numbers of blasters across the continent and Australia. Mike had a reputation for problem solving and outworking everybody else, regardless of age.

Not one to be content in retirement, Mike launched a second career that took him far and wide as he worked with KESCO, Senex, Newfoundland HardRok, INR Energy, AEP, Dimension Supply and Mountain Valley Pipeline. Mike developed a fondness for Newfoundland and their blast crews and always wanted to go back. His wife Lynn was often by his side as they loved to travel. He will be sorely missed.