S.D. Warriner provided strong leadership for the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, as well as the entire anthracite industry.​

After graduating from Lehigh University in 1890, he mined iron ore in Virginia, and served as mechanical engineer for the Lehigh Valley Coal Co. and as engineer in charge of development work for the Calumet and Hecla copper mines in the Lake Superior area of Michigan. He returned to Wilkes-Barre to succeed W.A. Lathrop as General Manager of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company. He developed an outstanding reputation in the anthracite industry and was elected President of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company in 1912. He served in that capacity for 25 years.​

He was a tough negotiator when it came to handling unions; and was reputed to have rarely softened his stance on labor grievances which he heard as a member of the Anthracite Conciliation Board. He was strongly opposed to the “check off” system demanded by the miners and insisted that welfare work must be cooperative on the part of the company and the men because “Other plans rob the men of self respect and create paupers.”​

Warner skillfully led the company through turbulent years and, in 1937, was elected Chairman of the Board. He left his mark on the anthracite industry through strong leadership and a tough stance on unions.​

‍