Sam Thompson Appointed President of Airgas NCN Region

Airgas, Inc. (RADNOR, PA) names J. Samuel Thompson president of Airgas Northern California and Nevada, one of the regional companies that make up Airgas? distribution business. As president, Thompson leads a region, headquartered in Sacramento, CA, that includes about 600 associates working in more than 45 locations in Northern California and Northern Nevada. Thompson, who had been an area vice president for another region, Airgas South, replaces Jim McCarthy, who has joined the corporate Distribution Operations department in a new role as director of gas supply chain for the Western Division.

?Sam?s tremendous results at Airgas South, his 33 years of industry experience, and his reputation as a great communicator and leader among his colleagues all made Sam the right choice to replace Jim as he moves to his new role,? said Max Hooper, Western Division President for Airgas, Inc, who oversees six regional companies. ?We thank Jim for his leadership of the region for the past 15 years.?

Thompson joined Airgas in 2000 as an area vice president in Georgia and Tennessee. From 1995 to 2000, he served for 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. From 1991 to 1995, Thompson served as regional sales manager for Worthington Cylinders, a leading manufacturer of propane, refrigerant, and industrial gas cylinders. He began his career in 1975 working for his father?s company, Gulf Welding Equipment Company, Inc., which was acquired by Airgas in 1989.

Thompson earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Millsaps College in Jackson, MS, and an MBA from Troy University in Troy, AL. He has been an active member in the American Welding Society and the Gases and Welding Distributors Association (GAWDA), including serving as regional chairman. He is relocating to Sacramento from the Atlanta area. www.airgas.com