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Airgas Presents Mike Rohde With Annual Scott Melman Award |
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Airgas Presents Mike Rohde With Annual Scott Melman Award
RADNOR, PA – August 5, 2008 – Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG) today presented its eighth annual Scott Melman Award to Mike Rohde, senior vice president, distribution operations, for his exemplary leadership in the pursuit of excellence.
The award is named for Scott M. Melman, former chief financial officer of Airgas, Inc., who died in 2001. According to the award’s inscription, it honors “Airgas employees who exhibit the qualities we remember in Scott M. Melman: Professionalism, perseverance, enthusiasm, energy, a sense of honor, and the courage to speak up and make a difference.”
“Mike has spearheaded two of our most significant organizational efforts of the past year, leading the integration of the U.S. packaged gas business that we acquired from Linde, and implementing operational efficiencies in our distribution business,” said Airgas Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Peter McCausland. “We are on schedule to deliver the $10 million of run-rate savings that we committed to shareholders in September 2007, and since that time, we have been integrating the Linde business, generating synergies in excess of expectations. Mike has been instrumental in both accomplishments.”
“Under Mike’s leadership, we have begun to enjoy real benefits from initiatives associated with ultrasonic cylinder testing, fill plant efficiency studies, and distribution logistics programs, and all the while we have been integrating the largest acquisition in our company’s history,” said Mike Molinini, executive vice president and chief operating officer, in nominating Rohde. “Mike is broadly recognized and respected in our industry. He is the kind of person who faces challenges head on, and his professionalism, perseverance, enthusiasm and energy make him the perfect choice to receive the 2008 Melman Award.”
Added McCausland, “Because of his deep industry expertise and his ability to execute well on large-scale projects, Mike is playing a key role in our efforts to enhance customer service, and he will also provide critical leadership for our upcoming SAP implementation.”
Rohde first joined Airgas in 1999 as president of Airgas Southwest, the regional company serving Texas and New Mexico. He then became president of Airgas South, serving Florida, Georgia, and the surrounding area, and was promoted to his current position in 2005. Rohde has been in the packaged gas industry since 1977. Prior to joining Airgas, he was senior vice president, packaged and specialty gases at Tri-Gas and, before that, senior vice president, packaged gases at MG Industries. Rohde received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and an MBA from the Citadel, and resides with his family in Greenville, South Carolina.
About Airgas, Inc.
Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG), through its subsidiaries, is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and hardgoods, such as welding equipment and supplies. Airgas is also one of the largest U.S. distributors of safety products, the largest U.S. producer of nitrous oxide and dry ice, the largest liquid carbon dioxide producer in the Southeast, and a leading distributor of process chemicals, refrigerants, and ammonia products. More than 14,000 employees work in over 1,100 locations, including branches, retail stores, gas fill plants, specialty gas labs, production facilities and distribution centers. Airgas also distributes its products and services through eBusiness, catalog and telesales channels. Its national scale and strong local presence offer a competitive edge to its diversified customer base. For more information, please visit www.airgas.com.
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