Mr. Cichocki served as Chief Operating Officer of Airgas, Inc. ( Airgas ) from 2016, and President of Airgas USA, LLC from 2014, until his retirement from those positions in October 2021. He was formerly Senior Vice President Distribution Operations and Business Process Improvement at Airgas from 2011 until 2014. Prior to that, Mr. Cichocki was Division President Process Gases and Chemicals at Airgas from 2008 until 2011, President Airgas National Welders, Inc. (a subsidiary of Airgas USA, LLC) from 2003 until 2008, and Senior Vice President Human Resources at Airgas from 2001 until 2003. From 1988 until 2001, Mr. Cichocki held various financial, mergers and acquisitions, and business process leadership positions at Airgas, including serving as Vice President Corporate Development. The Board nominated Mr. Cichocki to serve on our Board of Directors for the following reasons. Through his extensive experience in management and executive-level positions at Airgas, Mr. Cichocki has over 28 years of experience in the industrial, medical, and specialty gas industries. Mr. Cichocki brings to our Board a deep understanding of the industrial gas and associated products and services industries. Our Board has determined that Mr. Cichocki qualifies as a financial expert as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K. In addition to his deep understanding of several industries important to our Company, he offers valuable perspectives on business leadership, finance and general management. The Board believes that Mr. Cichocki s experience enhances the knowledge of the Board and provides useful insights to management.