Author: Steve Guglielmo

GAWDA extends its condolences to the friends and family of John “Jack” Miaskowski who passed away on May 29, 2020. John was in advertising/sales for over 50 years, 16 of them with CryoGas International (now gasworld) where, as Advertising Sales Manager he helped grow the magazine into the industrial gas and welding industry’s most respected business journal.  In the process of closing many deals, he made a legendary number of friends within that industry. John was the consummate sales professional who lived life to the fullest and was always willing to lend a helping hand and to offer a kind…

GAWDA extends its condolences to the friends and family of Edward Madison (NWSA President 1973-74) who passed away on June 6, 2020, at the age of 92. Ed was the owner of Prest-O-Sales & Service, Inc. (Long Island City, NY) until his retirement in 1993. Ed was born in Devonshire Parish, Bermuda and raised in Flushing, NY. He attended high school at the Valley Forge Military Academy. In 1945, he joined the marine engineering program at the US Merchant Marine Academy for two years before transferring to Cornell University. At Cornell, he studied Mechanical Engineering and Industrial and Labor Relations,…

F&M MAFCO is excited to announce an agreement with ENERPAC to be the Premier rental provider for MIRAGE in the United States.  Mirage is a leading, global manufacturer of standard and customized on-site machining solutions for a diverse set of applications with a focus on portability, performance and safety. “Our investment in the Mirage tooling product coupled with our strategic partnership with Enerpac is a pillar of our specialty rental growth objectives” Tim Fries Vice President Sales & Marketing Common markets for these solutions are: Oil and Gas Power Generation (renewable, fossil and nuclear) Mining Petrochemical Shipbuilding The MIRAGE product…

GAWDA extends its condolences to the friends and family of Hanny Ruddy, who passed away on May 13. According to Ralph M. Cohan, VP Sales/Operations at General Welding Supply Corporation, “My business partner, J. Hanny (Honey) Ruddy passed away last evening, very suddenly. She will be missed by all, but especially by her son, Nick Lanzano and daughter Kristen Lanzano.” Hanny’s obituary can be read below: Hanny Ruddy, a lifelong Oakdale resident, passed away on May 13, 2020. “Hurricane Honey” or “Peter Pan” to those she knew, Hanny always said “she would never grow up.”  She enjoyed traveling to such places…

FMCSA Implements New Crash Preventability Determination Program.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced the start of the agency’s new Crash Preventability Determination Program.  85 Fed. Reg. 27017 (May 6, 2020).  Through this program, motor carriers and drivers may submit eligible crashes for preventability determinations through the FMCSA’s DataQs system. FMCSA will remove crashes that were not preventable by the motor carrier or driver from the Safety Measurement System (SMS) algorithm that prioritizes carriers and drivers for enforcement actions. FMCSA will also note the not preventable determinations in the driver’s Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) record and will note not…

Donna Conrad retired from Superior Products. To commemorate her retirement and celebrate her legacy, several people submitted comments about Donna to GAWDA Media. A sampling can be found below: “Donna Conrad’s retirement from the Packaged Gases industry leaves a great legacy.  She had no idea from early days promoting balloon inflators on the floor of a Florist & Party Supplies Trade Show that she would pioneer a path for ladies in an otherwise male dominated industry.  Her path, punctuated with genuine grace and friendship, set a very high bar – a challenge accepted by so many fine ladies who daily…

In the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Red Ball Oxygen took to Instagram to recognize its employees for all of the great work they’ve done. See the full post below. View this post on Instagram A simple thank you goes out to all of our employees in the midst of this pandemic! #rbofamily #redballoxygen #sanitize #safetyfirst #washyourhands A post shared by Red Ball Oxygen Co. (@redballoxygen) on May 29, 2020 at 6:39am PDT Read other June 1 Connection Items: In Memoriam: Hanny “Honey” Ruddy Donna Conrad Retires from Superior Products Red Ball Oxygen Thanks Employees in the Midst…

Lenette Egan has retired from McDantim. Her last day was April 3rd. She will stay on as a consultant for McDantim to oversee a smooth transition. She is also staying involved with IBEDA helping out with social media.   “We’re happy for Lenette and wish her the best in retirement,” said McDantim Marketing Coordinator Kayla Mann. “She has done so much for our company and our industry!” Read Other May 15 Connection News: CGA Recognizes Safety Award Winners at 2020 Annual Meeting Walter Surface Technologies Acquires ArcOne AWISCO Introduces Special Edition Subway-Themed Auto-Darkening Helmets Butler Gases Launches “The Life of a…

Andy Cichocki Airgas, an Air Liquide company 2019 CGA Board Chair During the Annual Meeting of the Association, Andy Cichocki was presented with the CGA Chairman’s Award for his service as Chairman of the CGA Executive Committee and Board of Directors in 2019. Thank you for your service, Andy. For 2020, CGA welcomes John F. (Jack) Finn of FIBA Technologies to the role of CGA Chair, and Chris Ebeling of Messer North America to the role of CGA Vice Chair. Jack Finn FIBA Technologies 2020 CGA Board Chair Chris Ebeling Messer North America 2020 CGA Board Vice Chair CGA Also…

The Compressed Gas Association (CGA) announced the winners of its industry-leading safety awards during the 2020 Annual Meeting of the Association, held virtually on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. CGA is dedicated to the development and promotion of safety standards and safe practices in the industrial, medical, and food gases industry. We’re proud to recognize the dedication to safety exhibited by the companies and individuals honored this year. Environmental Awards The Environmental Awards are presented annually to deserving individuals, teams, or facilities that have conducted activities that meet defined criteria for environmental excellence. The following were recipients of the Environmental Awards:…