Airgas Names Ron Stark Sr. Vice President - Sales and Marketing
RADNOR, PA - July 22, 2009 - Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG), today announced that Ronald J. Stark has been named senior vice president - sales and marketing, reporting to Mike Molinini, Airgas executive vice president and chief operating officer. Stark has served as president of Airgas North Central, one of 12 regional companies that make up Airgas' distribution business, since he joined Airgas in 2003.
Including his time with Airgas, Stark brings 24 years of experience in the industrial gas and equipment business to this new role. He will be responsible for sales and marketing strategy including development and alignment of key markets within the Airgas regional company structure.
Stark's direct reports will include: Pat Visintainer, sr. vice president - corporate accounts; Jack Appolonia, vice president - construction and rental businesses; and Don Carlino, president of Airgas Safety.
"We are at an important stage in our Company development," said Molinini. "Ron's wide array of skills and experience will provide great support to our 1,500-member sales force as they bring our industry-leading product and service offerings to our customers." Stark began his career at Union Carbide-Linde Division (now Praxair) in 1985 and advanced through a series of positions in applications engineering, and key account management. In 1992, he joined MVE, a Minnesota-based supplier of cryogenic storage and distribution technology, and advanced to vice president and general manager of the industrial gases market. After Chart Industries acquired MVE in 1999, Stark became president of Chart's Distribution and Storage Group and held that post until joining Airgas. Stark graduated from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology with a bachelor's of science degree in chemical engineering, and earned his MBA with a concentration in finance from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.
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.
Media Contact:
Jay Worley
(610) 902-6206
jay.worley@airgas.com
Investor Contact:
Barry Strzelec
(610) 902-6256
barry.strzelec@airgas.com
Airgas, Inc.
259 North Radnor-Chester Road Suite 100,
Radnor, PA 19087-5283
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