Date on top:				NOVEMBER 1, 2018
Date alongside GAWDA symbol:	NOVEMBER 000 2018

FEATURED NEWS

Mark Your Calendars!

It’s never too early to begin planning for these not-to-be-missed events in 2019:

GAWDA Spring Management Conference ‒ Minneapolis, MN
May 4, 2019 ‒ May 6, 2019
GAWDA Regional Meeting – Seven Springs, PA
June 17, 2019 ‒ June 19, 2019
GAWDA Annual Convention ‒ Washington, DC
September 28, 2019 ‒ October 1, 2019

For more information on these and other events, click here.

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LINKS YOU’LL LIKE

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GAWDA Committees: Learn more about the different committees and how they add value to your GAWDA membership. 

GAWDA University: GAWDA offers FREE training in dozens of safety and compliance topics. Click the link to learn more!

MEMBER NEWS

Toll Company Announces New President

After a thorough and thoughtful succession planning process, the Toll Company Board of Directors have voted to appoint Chuck Allard as President of Toll Company. Chuck will succeed Jim Quicksell effective November 1, 2018. Jim will remain a part of the Toll Company management team until his retirement in November of 2019.
 
After completing his bachelor’s degree at St. Cloud University, Chuck joined Toll Company in 1994 and was placed in charge of information technology for the business. Chuck was involved in many company initiatives until his promotion to vice president of operations in 2005. Since then, Chuck has been integral in growing and enhancing Toll Company’s industrial, medical, bulk and specialty gas capabilities. 
 
Chuck states, “It has been a pleasure working with Jim for many years and being part of the strategic direction and success of the company. Being chosen to lead Toll Company is truly an honor and I look forward to building upon our success with the talented group of employee-owners we have at Toll.”

<Insert photo Toll Company_Chuck Allard> Chuck Allard

Butler Gas Products Names Two Regional Sales Managers

Ben Black and Randall Workman have been promoted to regional sales managers at Butler Gas Products.

<Insert photo Butler Gas_ Ben Black > Ben Black

Prior to his sales career with Butler Gas Products, Black spent four years in account management for the concrete forming and engineered-wood products industry. 

<Insert photo Butler Gas_ Randall Workman > Randall Workman

Workman, a retired member of the United States Marine Corps, has spent three years in account management for the gases and welding industry.

Both Black and Workman are responsible for fostering customer satisfaction and growing market share in their respective territories.

Computers Unlimited Programmer Makes a Difference
Tara Schultz, TIMS Software programmer, recently spent some time in the spotlight for her service by helping to start up a local chapter of Girl Develop It, a nonprofit organization that aims to provide affordable and judgment-free opportunities for women who want to learn coding and related software skills.

“I’ve always felt passionate about trying to help get more women in web and software development,” Schultz said. “In college, I was often one of the only women in the computer science classes. I’m one of just a few women developers at Computers Unlimited and you can see the under-representation of women in tech jobs all over the country.” 

“Programming can be a great field to work in and I want to help more women see that,” Schultz continued. “When I learned about Girl Develop It and their mission, I wanted to be a part of it, which meant starting a chapter in Bismarck.”

Computers Unlimited is proud to be a sponsor of the Bismarck, North Dakota Chapter of Girl Develop It.

<Insert photo Computers Unlimited_ Tara Schulz > Computers Unlimited programmer Tara Schultz (left) is donating her time to mentor women who are interested in software development.

Linde Purchase of Praxair Inc. Finalized

Linde has announced that it has received approval from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to acquire Praxair, Inc., clearing the last hurdle in the estimated $90 billion-dollar merger. With over 80,000 employees in more than 100 countries, this makes Linde the largest company in the global industrial gas business. 

In order to receive approval, Linde agreed to sell its U.S. bulk business as well as certain carbon monoxide, hydrogen and steam methane reforming businesses. The divestitures must occur by January 29, 2019, and until then, Linde and Praxair will continue to operate their businesses as separate and independent companies. 

“It is a privilege for me to lead the talented people of two world-class organizations as we come together to form the undisputed leader in our industry” said Praxair Chairman and CEO Steve Angel, who will take the reins as CEO of the new holding company. “I am confident this team will create long-term value for all Linde plc stakeholders.”

AWG Acquires Compressed Gas Solutions 

American Welding & Gas, Inc. announced that it has joined forces with Compressed Gas Solutions, Inc., creating one of the largest independently owned industrial, medical and specialty gas operations in Central Florida.

AWG, headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, operates 77 retail locations and 17 fill plants; stretching from Montana to Florida. Founded in 1949, AWG produces and distributes industrial, medical, and specialty gases. Compressed Gas Solutions was founded in 2002 and grew to become the largest independently owned provider of compressed and cryogenic gases in the Orlando area. According to the company, the combination of AWG and Compressed Gas Solutions creates a stronger, more integrated provider of superior products and services.

Weldship Corporation Appoints Two New Directors
Weldship Corporation announced that Mike Arcieri has been promoted to the position of director of sales. Arcieri’s new mission is to manage the overall sales and marketing responsibility for both Weldship Corporation as well as Texas Trailer Corporation. Prior to this appointment, Arcieri served as regional sales manager at Weldship Corporation for over eight years. 
Texas Trailer Corporation (a division of Weldship Corporation) has promoted Scott Greisen to the position of director of operations. Greisen’s new mission is to manage the overall operational responsibility for Texas Trailer Corporation. Greisen, who had previous served as the company’s regional sales manager, will continue to be a member of the Weldship/Texas Trailer customer/sales support team. 
Controlled Efficiencies Receives FDA Validation
Controlled Efficiencies, LLC, provider of the CERES (CErtifi™ Electronic Records Electronic Signature) program, received an FDA validation for production of medical gases for oxygen, nitrogen, and nitrous oxide.
On Aug. 29‒30, 2018, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration inspected the medical gas manufacturing facility of Holston Gases, including the production of USP oxygen, NF nitrogen and nitrous oxide, as well as policies, procedures, records and training. They also reviewed the validation study for the CERES program in place and found it to be complete and in compliance. It was a flawless FDA inspection.  

NEW PRODUCTS

American Torch Tip Now Offering Tregaskiss Tough Lock Contact Tips and Diffusers

American Torch Tip is now offering Tregaskiss Tough Lock-style contact tips and diffusers. These American-made tips and diffusers are designed for lasting quality and available in standard copper and chrome zirconium in a wide variety of sizes for both robotic and manual use.

<Insert photo American Torch Tip_ Tough Lock Contact Tips and Diffusers with caption> Tough Lock Contact Tips and Diffusers