Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG), today announced that Pamela M. Swanson has been named president of Airgas North Central, reporting to B. Shaun Powers, Airgas Eastern Division president. Swanson replaces Ronald J. Stark, who has joined the Airgas corporate management team as senior vice president – sales and marketing.

Airgas North Central, one of 12 regional companies that make up Airgas’ distribution business, has more than 1,000 employees working in more than 70 locations. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Airgas North Central serves customers in northwestern Indiana and northwestern Michigan, northern Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa, as well as the eastern half of North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska.

Swanson joined Airgas in 2004 as vice president for Airgas North Central’s northeast division. Prior to joining Airgas, Swanson was vice president and chief operating officer for Interstate Welding Sales Corporation, a leading Wisconsin-based distributor of welding equipment and supplies; industrial, specialty and medical gases; and fire protection systems, which Airgas acquired in 2004. Swanson graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point with a bachelor of science degree in business education and participated in the Kellogg Executive Development Program at Northwestern University. She also taught high school business education in the Green Bay area and then worked in manufacturing, paper, food, and service industries before joining Interstate Welding.

“Pam brings considerable industry and management experience to her new role as president of Airgas North Central,” said Powers, who oversees five Airgas regional companies. “Revenues in the region’s northeast division increased more than threefold during her tenure there, and her experience as chief operating officer at Interstate Welding will serve her well as she takes the reins of this strategic Airgas regional company.”

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.
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