The following Executive Officers have been elected by the Board of Directors and serve at the pleasure of the Board. It is expected that the Board will elect officers annually following each Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Stephen F. Angel, 47, is an Executive Vice President of Praxair. Prior to joining Praxair in that capacity, Mr. Angel was General Manager for the General Electric Company Industrial Systems Power Equipment business. From 1996 to 1999, he was General Manager, Marketing and Sales, for GE’s Transportation Systems business. He assumed his current position in 2001.
Paul J. Bilek, 55, is an Executive Vice President of Praxair. Prior to assuming this position, Mr. Bilek served as President, North American Industrial Gases from 1996 to 1998. He assumed his current position in 1998.
David H. Chaifetz, 60, is Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Praxair. He assumed his current positions in 1992 upon Praxair’s launch as a public company.
Patrick M. Clark, 41, is a Vice President of Praxair and its Controller. Prior to joining Praxair in those capacities, Mr. Clark was, since 1997, Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Enodis North America, a subsidiary of Enodis Plc., a global manufacturer of food equipment. He assumed his current positions in 2002.
James J. Fuchs, 50, is a Vice President of Praxair, President of North American Industrial Gases, and President, Praxair Canada Inc. Prior to these assignments, Mr. Fuchs served Praxair Asia as a Vice President from 1996 and then as its President from 1998. He assumed his current positions in 2001.
Ricardo S. Malfitano, 44, is President of White Martins Gases Industriais Ltda. (“White Martins”), Praxair’s Brazilian subsidiary, and is a Vice President of Praxair. He served as President, North American Industrial Gases and President, Praxair Canada Inc. from 1998 to 2001. Mr. Malfitano also served as Chief Operating Officer of White Martins from 1997 to 1998. He assumed his current position in Brazil in 2001.
Dennis H. Reilley, 50. See description under “The Board of Directors.”
James S. Sawyer, 46, is a Vice President of Praxair and its Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Sawyer served as a Vice President of Praxair and as its Assistant Treasurer and then Treasurer from 1992 upon Praxair’s launch as a public company until 2000. He was designated Chief Financial Officer in 2000.
Thomas W. von Krannichfeldt, 53, is an Executive Vice President of Praxair. Mr. von Krannichfeldt also has served as President, Praxair Surface Technologies, Inc. since 1995. He assumed his current position in 1999.
Alan J. Westendorf, 59, is a Vice President of Praxair and President, Praxair Europe. In 1996, Mr. Westendorf was designated the North American Industrial Gases (“NAIG”) Vice President-Sales and became an NAIG Senior Vice President in 1998. He assumed his current positions in 1999.
Wayne J. Yakich, 45, is a Vice President of Praxair and President, Praxair Distribution, Inc. Mr. Yakich was formerly Vice President, Business Operations for Praxair Distribution. He assumed his current positions in 2000.