JULIAN, W.Va. — Massey Energy's board says it's sticking with Chief Executive Don Blankenship amid calls for his resignation.

Lead independent director Bobby Inman said today the board has concluded changing senior management now wouldn't be in the company's best interests. The Richmond, Va.-based company is under pressure from industry regulators and shareholders after 29 miners died in an explosion at Massey's Upper Big Branch coal mine in West Virginia on April 5.

A growing number of Massey shareholders have asked that Blankenship's role be re-examined. Some want him to resign. But Inman says Blankenship has the board's full support.