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.
Airgas, Inc.
Media and Investor
Contact:
Jay Worley (610) 902-6206
jay.worley@airgas.com
