Inducted: 2010

BS in Accounting, 1972

Joseph W. Craft III is president, CEO and director of Alliance Resource Partners LP, a diversified producer of coal. The company was recognized by BusinessWeek magazine as the 14th hottest growth company in the United States in 2007 and made the annual list of the 100 Hottest Growth Companies for the fifth consecutive year. In June 2008, Ernst & Young recognized Craft as “Entrepreneur of the Year” for the Southwest Region in the energy, chemical and mining category. He earned his B.S. in accounting and his J.D. from the University of Kentucky’s College of Law.