CGA Welcomes Chris Ebeling of Messer Americas and Francesco Maione of Air Products as Incoming Chair and Vice Chair of the Association’s Board of Directors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 6, 2021
MCLEAN, VIRGINIA – During the Annual Meeting of the Association, held virtually on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, Chris Ebeling of Messer Americas and Francesco Maione of Air Products were unanimously elected 2021 Chair and Vice Chair, respectively, of the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) Board of Directors.
“This past year has posed significant challenges. And yet, the Association has arguably never had a more impactful year. I’ve been very proud of CGA’s and our industry’s collective response to the COVID-19 pandemic.” – Chris Ebeling, Messer Americas
“I’m proud and humbled to serve as CGA’s 2021 Board Chair,” said Chris Ebeling. “This past year has posed significant challenges. And yet, the Association has arguably never had a more impactful year. I’ve been very proud of CGA’s and our industry’s collective response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“CGA membership drew attention to several challenges across the industry, including the CO2 shortage in the Spring of 2020, mitigating concerns around dry ice availability for vaccines in the Fall of 2020, and our industry’s ongoing efforts to ensure sufficient supplies of medical oxygen in the U.S. and Canada. The timeliness and quality of the information we shared with government agencies, as well as the data and science behind the statements we made, has been very impactful. Truly, we would not be where we are today if not for the collaborative efforts of all the CGA member companies.
“CGA President Rich Gottwald and the entire Association staff are also to be commended for their response during the pandemic. In many ways, CGA didn’t miss a beat. The amount of work they accomplished this past year is very impressive.
“There are a number of key learnings we can take from this past year. As an association, we learned we were able to do even better than in the past in managing safety standards development, while at the same time, launching initiatives to engage more of our membership – by offering more online meetings and training events not only for our more tenured member employees, but also for emerging young professionals. Moving forward, I’d like to see us find the right balance between continuing to offer ways for more members to engage virtually, while also beginning to weave back in face to face meetings and collaboration, as the latter becomes possible again.
“In particular, it’s extremely important that we’ve begun to engage our industry’s younger generation, as they’re the ones we’ll need to pass the baton to, in the not too distant future. They’re the ones who will be tasked with advancing CGA’s safety mission, for future generations.”
“I’d like to see the Association continue to foster a culture where young professionals feel they can grow, are given visibility, and have an opportunity to make an impact. Because an engaged organization delivers better results. And these young professionals are our future.” – Francesco Maione, Air Products
“I’m honored and privileged to serve as Vice Chair for the Compressed Gas Association Board,” Francesco Maione said. “During this coming year, my first focus will be on safety – as CGA continues its essential work to help keep our industry operations, employees, customers, contractors, and communities safe.
“Another high priority for me will be fostering the participation of young professionals in our industry. Serving on CGA working committees provides an invaluable experience for younger employees. It gives them an opportunity to deepen their knowledge of safety, governance, and other technical topics, while enhancing personal skills development. I’d like to see the Association continue to foster a culture where young professionals feel they can grow, are given visibility, and have an opportunity to make an impact. Because an engaged organization delivers better results. And these young professionals are our future.
“In addition, I’d like to see us focus on broadening the participation of all our member companies’ employees – strengthening a sense of inclusion, as well as facilitating essential knowledge transfer and skills development for all. We will also continue to recruit new member companies and welcome everyone who has a role to play in advancing industry safety.”
Chris Ebeling is Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for US bulk at Messer Americas, part of the world’s largest privately held industrial gases enterprise. In this role, Chris is responsible for three sales channels, order-to-cash, product management and strategy, applications and R&D, as well as Messer’s helium business in the Americas. Over his 30-year international career in industrial gases, he has worked for AGA, BOC, Linde, and now Messer, amassing broad business experience in bulk gases, packaged gases, hardgoods, and safety supplies. Chris earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management.
Francesco Maione is President, Americas, at Air Products. He is responsible for the growth and profitability of the company’s Atmospheric Gases and HyCO product lines, as well as operations, across North and South America. He joined Air Products in the U.K. in 1998 as a financial analyst. Since then, he has held roles in the company’s key businesses, including Merchant Gases, Electronics, Tonnage Gases, and Healthcare, and in key geographies, including Asia, Europe, and the U.S. Before Air Products, he worked for such companies as Kuwait Petroleum in Italy and Vivendi in London. Francesco holds a degree in business and economics from the University of Rome and an MBA from the LUISS University (Rome).
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Founded in 1913, the Compressed Gas Association is dedicated to the development and promotion of safety standards and safe practices in the industrial, medical, and food gases industry. CGA represents more than 130 member companies including manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and transporters of gases, cryogenic liquids, and related products and services. Through a committee system, CGA develops technical specifications, safety standards, and training and educational materials, and works with government agencies to formulate and promote compliance with responsible regulations and standards. The Association also works with other industrial gas associations around the world to harmonize standards to advance safety in the industrial gas industry.
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