Founded independent consulting firm in 2008 specializing in mergers & acquisitions, strategic growth planning, and financial performance turn-around to the industrial gases industry. • Developed nation wide client base and served on Boards of Directors of several client companies including serving as Chairman of one.• Clients include Airgas, Trinity Hunt Partners, Tri-Tech, Jackson Welding Supply and Sowell & Company, among others. • Obtain $10mm credit line financing for expansion of facilities and relocation.• Located, developed relationship with company leading to acquisition of $25mm competitor. • Handles every phase of negotiation including APA, financing and integration.• Initiated a metric system in several client companies to drive operating performance to new levels.• Helped company in capacity of Chairman achieve record performance in 65 year company history in terms of EBITDA despite revenue being 20% below 2008 levels due to economic downturn.

Founded and launched successful entrepreneurial venture which served as a multi-branch distributor and nationwide wholesaler of industrial, medical and specialty gases and related equipment products to distributors and end-users throughout the United States. Solely responsible for acquiring start-up capital, designing financial infrastructure, overseeing recruitment and HR efforts, training and development of new staff members, marketing, technology and administrative leadership as well as maintained full P&L and balance sheet responsibility. • New Business Launch - Provided decisive financial leadership as venture grew from start-up into a company with over $110M market value and 315 employees and operations in all 50 states. Delivered >$12M positive cash flow (EBITDA) pre Cap Ex.• Seed Funding & Cash Flow Financing - Raised $15M in private equity funding, inscribed detailed business plan and presented it to investors/banks which resulted in accumulation a $65M line of credit from five banks to fund acquisition of organization in addition to subordinated debt financing.• Growth Through Acquisition & Market Expansion - Achieved tremendous growth through a combination of internal development initiatives and 15 acquisitions over nine years. Personally directed acquisition planning, analysis, due diligence, candidate review and contract negotiations.• Customer/Vendor Relations - Managed exclusive relationships with three largest customers and three largest suppliers, which helped build strong market presence in all 50 states and diversification opportunities for the firm.• Business Divestiture - Elevated organizations profitability by over 300% prior to being approached by S&P 500 strategic buyer for sale. Negotiated sale of the company generating 25% annual IRR to shareholders.

Recruited as the Executive Vice President and promoted in 1992 to the position of President and CEO of this US subsidiary of Tio Nippon Sanso. Charged with responsibility to provide strategic, operational and financial leadership as company sought to enter new markets. Held full P&L, balance sheet and operating management responsibility (721 employees) reporting to Board of Directors.• Business Strategy - Created the Corporate Strategic Plan to plot business direction and growth. Vastly exceeded growth and financial objectives annually.• Revenue & Market Growth - Grew the business from $66M annually in 1992 to $200 million with 10% operating margin.• Financial Management & Expense Control - Drove EBITDA to 18% of sales through top line organic growth, acquisitions, margin enhancements, tight expense control and process/plant improvements.• Led the company into new higher end markets of specialty gases by building new gas analyzing labs, changing the caliber of sales personnel and improving training programs. Constructed several new air separation plants and arranged for financing through sale/lease backs and State of New Mexico municipal bonds. • Contract Management - Established and maintained key relationships with customers at senior levels and negotiated long-term multi-year contracts from $1M to a $7M.• Mergers, Acquisitions & Joint Ventures - Formed complex joint venture company in Florida whereby synergies and market share growth were maximized and individual ownership maintained. Returns from this transaction were >50% annually. Acquired 15 companies (competitors or strategic step outs); fully and quickly integrated the operations into the company, thereby establishing market presence along entire southern tier of U.S. and maximizing consolidation benefits.