Airgas Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Airgas has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, operational management, and regional market development.

Focused on delivering industrial, medical, and specialty gas solutions, Airgas maintains a commitment to safety, welding efficiency, and ebusiness innovation across the North American market.

Leadership Roles at Airgas

  • Chief Executive Officer - Marcelo Fioranelli
  • Founder & Chief Executive Officer - Robert Schildgen
  • Chief Financial Officer - Robert McLaughlin
  • Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Pauline Carel
  • Senior VP-Finance and Chief Financial Officer - Alan Demart
  • Chief Operating Officer - Melissa Gray
  • President - Southwest Region - Michael Bloodworth
  • President - Rick Keefer
  • President, Region (South) - Edwin Robertson
  • President - Nicholas Geis
  • Marcelo Fioranelli - Chief Executive Officer

    Marcelo Fioranelli, the Chief Executive Officer at Airgas, directs the overarching corporate strategy for industrial, medical, and specialty gas distribution. Fioranelli architects long-term growth initiatives while ensuring the organization maintains high standards in safety solutions and welding automation. By aligning internal resources with market demands, the Chief Executive Officer drives operational excellence across all business units. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with the board to optimize the supply chain and expand the footprint of gas-related services. Marcelo Fioranelli monitors performance metrics to ensure the company remains a leader in the competitive manufacturing sector. Through rigorous oversight of the national distribution network, the Chief Executive Officer secures the company's position as a primary provider of dry ice and welding efficiency tools. Strategic decisions made by Fioranelli directly influence the scalability of the business model and the long-term financial health of the enterprise.
    Marcelo Fioranelli

    Robert Schildgen - Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    Robert Schildgen, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Airgas, establishes the foundational vision for the company's industrial gas and safety solution portfolio. Schildgen guides the executive team in maintaining the core values that define the organization's market presence. As the Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Schildgen oversees the integration of new welding technologies and ebusiness platforms into the existing service framework. This role requires balancing historical business principles with modern innovation to sustain growth in the medical and industrial sectors. Robert Schildgen evaluates high-level operational risks and opportunities to ensure the company remains agile in a fluctuating economy. By fostering a culture of efficiency, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer supports the development of specialized gas applications. Schildgen maintains a focus on long-term sustainability, ensuring that the company's infrastructure supports the evolving needs of clients across diverse manufacturing landscapes while upholding the highest safety standards.
    Robert Schildgen

    Robert McLaughlin - Chief Financial Officer

    Robert McLaughlin, the Chief Financial Officer at Airgas, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies for the entire organization. McLaughlin oversees financial reporting, budgeting, and investment planning to support the expansion of industrial and medical gas operations. As the Chief Financial Officer, McLaughlin ensures compliance with regulatory standards while optimizing the cost structure of welding automation and safety solution services. This leadership role involves working closely with other executives to align financial goals with the company's broader strategic objectives. Robert McLaughlin monitors cash flow and market trends to provide actionable insights that drive profitability. By implementing robust financial controls, the Chief Financial Officer mitigates risks associated with large-scale distribution and supply chain management. McLaughlin maintains a focus on maximizing shareholder value through disciplined fiscal management and the strategic deployment of capital across the company's diverse regional operations, ensuring the business remains financially resilient in a competitive market.

    Pauline Carel - Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Pauline Carel, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Airgas, handles the financial planning and analysis for specific business segments within the organization. Carel oversees the accounting functions and ensures that financial data supports the strategic goals of the industrial and specialty gas divisions. As the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Carel manages the financial reporting processes that track the performance of welding automation and safety solution initiatives. This role involves providing the executive team with detailed financial forecasts to guide decision-making. Pauline Carel monitors regional expenditures and revenue streams to ensure alignment with corporate targets. By maintaining rigorous oversight of financial operations, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer supports the company's ability to invest in new technologies and market expansion. Carel ensures that all financial activities remain transparent and efficient, contributing to the overall stability and growth of the company's diverse service offerings in the competitive gas supply industry.

    Alan Demart - Senior VP-Finance and Chief Financial Officer

    Alan Demart, the Senior VP-Finance and Chief Financial Officer at Airgas, leads the financial strategy and treasury functions for the enterprise. Demart oversees the management of corporate debt, liquidity, and financial risk assessment to ensure the company maintains a strong balance sheet. As the Senior VP-Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Demart directs the financial planning for large-scale investments in welding efficiency and ebusiness solutions. This role involves collaborating with the board to communicate financial performance and long-term value creation. Alan Demart monitors economic indicators to adjust financial strategies in response to market shifts. By implementing advanced financial modeling, the Senior VP-Finance and Chief Financial Officer supports the company's efforts to expand its footprint in the medical and industrial gas markets. Demart ensures that all financial operations are executed with precision, providing the necessary resources for the company to maintain its leadership position and continue delivering high-quality safety solutions to clients.

    Melissa Gray - Chief Operating Officer

    Melissa Gray, the Chief Operating Officer at Airgas, directs the daily operational activities and logistics for the company's extensive gas supply network. Gray oversees the implementation of welding efficiency programs and safety solutions to ensure seamless service delivery. As the Chief Operating Officer, Gray manages the internal processes that support the distribution of industrial and medical gases. This role involves coordinating with regional leaders to streamline supply chain operations and improve service reliability. Melissa Gray monitors operational performance to identify bottlenecks and implement solutions that enhance productivity. By optimizing the utilization of assets and personnel, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that the company meets the high-volume demands of the manufacturing sector. Gray focuses on scaling operational capabilities to support growth, ensuring that every facility adheres to strict safety protocols. Through the leadership of Melissa Gray, the company maintains a consistent and efficient delivery model that serves clients across the entire country.

    Michael Bloodworth - President - Southwest Region

    Michael Bloodworth, the President - Southwest Region at Airgas, manages all business operations and market development within the southwestern territory. Bloodworth oversees the distribution of industrial and medical gases, ensuring that local clients receive consistent service and safety solutions. As the President - Southwest Region, Bloodworth directs the sales and operational teams to capture market share in the welding automation and dry ice sectors. This role involves building strong relationships with regional partners and ensuring that the company's service standards are met across all local facilities. Michael Bloodworth monitors regional performance metrics to drive growth and operational efficiency. By tailoring the company's national strategy to the specific needs of the southwest market, the President - Southwest Region ensures that the organization remains competitive. Bloodworth focuses on expanding the customer base and improving service delivery, directly contributing to the company's overall success through effective regional leadership and strategic market engagement.

    Rick Keefer - President

    Rick Keefer, the President at Airgas, leads the strategic initiatives for the company's core industrial gas business. Keefer oversees the development of new service models that enhance welding efficiency and safety for industrial clients. As the President, Keefer directs the integration of ebusiness solutions into the customer experience, ensuring that digital tools support the company's physical distribution network. This role involves coordinating with other executives to align product offerings with evolving market demands. Rick Keefer monitors the performance of key business lines to ensure that the company maintains its competitive edge. By focusing on operational excellence and customer satisfaction, the President drives the growth of the industrial gas portfolio. Keefer ensures that the organization remains responsive to the needs of the manufacturing sector, implementing strategies that improve service delivery and expand the company's reach. Through the leadership of Rick Keefer, the company continues to innovate and provide essential solutions to its diverse client base.

    Edwin Robertson - President, Region (South)

    Edwin Robertson, the President, Region (South) at Airgas, manages the operational and commercial activities across the southern territory. Robertson oversees the supply chain and distribution of specialty gases, ensuring that the company meets the needs of medical and industrial clients in the region. As the President, Region (South), Robertson directs the local sales force to promote welding automation and safety solutions. This role involves managing regional resources to optimize service delivery and maintain high safety standards. Edwin Robertson monitors market trends to identify opportunities for growth and service expansion. By fostering strong relationships with regional stakeholders, the President, Region (South) ensures that the company's value proposition is effectively communicated to the local market. Robertson focuses on operational efficiency and customer retention, driving the success of the southern region through proactive management and strategic planning. Through the leadership of Edwin Robertson, the company maintains a strong presence and delivers reliable solutions to clients throughout the southern territory.

    Nicholas Geis - President

    Nicholas Geis, the President at Airgas, leads the strategic development of the company's medical gas and specialty chemical divisions. Geis oversees the expansion of these high-growth areas, ensuring that the company provides specialized solutions that meet the rigorous requirements of the healthcare and research sectors. As the President, Geis directs the teams responsible for product innovation and market penetration in these niche segments. This role involves collaborating with other leaders to ensure that the company's safety and efficiency standards are applied consistently across all medical and specialty gas operations. Nicholas Geis monitors the performance of these divisions to drive revenue growth and operational excellence. By focusing on the unique needs of medical and specialty clients, the President ensures that the company remains a preferred partner in the industry. Geis implements strategies that enhance service quality and expand the company's reach, contributing to the overall success and diversification of the organization's business model.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Airgas Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Airgas?
    Airgas is led by Marcelo Fioranelli (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Robert Schildgen (Founder & Chief Executive Officer) and Robert McLaughlin (Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Airgas’s executive team?
    The executive team of Airgas includes leaders such as Marcelo Fioranelli (Chief Executive Officer), Robert Schildgen (Founder & Chief Executive Officer), Robert McLaughlin (Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Airgas have?
    Airgas has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Airgas’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Airgas includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Senior VP-Finance and Chief Financial Officer.