After a long and successful career in our industrial gas & welding industry, Rich is moving to a new phase in his life and will be retiring from IWDC effective July 1, 2021.
Rich joined IWDC as Vice President of Gas Programs in March 2012 and has made a significant impact on our overall gas program and related PurityPlus® Specialty Gas program. Since taking the helm, Member’s spending through the program has grown by over sixty percent. Rich fostered great support from key Member-led committees that resulted in the renewal of our long-term strategic partnership with Air Products, an expanded cylinder, tank, and related equipment component offering, and several unique value-added specialty gases and related equipment vendor partner additions.
Rich will begin transitioning primary responsibilities to Vic Wilson starting later in April. I will address Vic’s new role in a separate communication. After retirement, Rich will continue to support our cooperative as a part-time consultant for the foreseeable future.
On the personal side, Rich and his wife of 36 years, Jean, reside in Richmond, VA, and plan to spend time with their family and friends.
Please join me in congratulating Rich on this milestone.
Frank Kasnick
President & C.E.O., IWDC
The IWDC is a cooperative formed in 1994, which leverages the strengths of its independent welding distributor Members across North America. IWDC Member companies collectively represent over $2.9B in sales, serving a wide range of industries. The common denominator is that these industries look to them for industrial, specialty, and medical gases as well as related equipment, welding hardgoods, and consumables. End-use customers served by IWDC Members benefit from having the unparalleled expertise of a local Member distributor who has access to national-scale purchasing and marketing programs.