Airgas Names Sam Thompson President of Airgas West Region; Mike Chandler President of Airgas NCN Region


RADNOR, PA - March 11, 2009 - Airgas, Inc., today announced that J. Samuel Thompson has been named president of Airgas West. Thompson replaces Glen Irving, who has joined the Airgas corporate sales department in a new role expanding marketing expertise in metal fabrication markets. Michael T. Chandler has been named to fill the role vacated by Thompson as president of Airgas Northern California and Nevada (NCN).

Airgas West, with about 1,000 associates working in more than 70 locations and headquartered in Lakewood, CA, serves customers in southern California, Hawaii, Arizona, and the Las Vegas area of Nevada. Thompson joined Airgas in 2000 as an area vice president in Georgia and Tennessee after serving five years as a regional manager and director of branch operations for Holox, Ltd., which later became part of the U.S. Linde packaged gas business that Airgas acquired in 2007. Prior to that, Thompson served as regional sales manager for Worthington Cylinders after starting his career in 1975 working for his father's company, Gulf Welding Equipment Company, Inc., which was acquired by Airgas in 1989.

"Sam has been an effective leader at Airgas NCN, and his 34 years of industry experience will position him well for success at Airgas West," said Max Hooper, Western Division President for Airgas, Inc, who oversees six regional companies. "We also thank Glen for his contributions, and we look forward to the impact he will make on our national sales efforts."

Succeeding Thompson as president of Airgas NCN is Michael T. Chandler, previously the vice president of sales and marketing at another region, Airgas Southwest. Headquartered in Sacramento, CA, Airgas NCN serves customers in northern California and northern Nevada and includes about 600 associates working in more than 45 locations. Chandler came to Airgas in the Company's 2006 acquisition of Union Industrial Gases, where he had worked as president of Valley Gases in New Mexico for six years. Prior to that, Chandler served in various capacities at Matheson Tri-Gas after beginning his career at Big Three Industries in 1974.

"Mike brings a broad array of sales and management experience to his job as president of NCN," commented Hooper. "We believe these changes will further enhance the effectiveness of our regions in California and the surrounding area."

About Airgas, Inc.

Airgas, Inc., 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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