Radnor-PA-based Airgas Inc. (NYSE: ARG), distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and related supplies announced the reorganization of its largest distribution region, Airgas East, into the Northeast region and the East region effective Sept. 1.

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Kent Carter, formerly an area vice president within the Airgas South region, has been named president of the Northeast region which includes upstate New York and New England.

Tony Simonetta, president of Airgas East since March of 2011, has been named president of the newly defined East region which includes the metropolitan New York City area, Long Island, New Jersey, the eastern half of Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C., and northern Virginia.

"With large concentrations of business opportunities in specific areas of Airgas East we're adding resources to more effectively meet the needs of the marketplace," said Michael Molinini, Airgas president and CEO. "We're committed to our decentralized operating model where decisions are made close to the customer. This reorganization will enable us to more fully serve customers and potential customers within two distinct geographies."

According to Shaun Powers, Airgas Division President – North, Airgas East represents Airgas' largest region with regard to the number of Airgas employees, revenues, and the number of production facilities and branches.

"Airgas East is also unique in that it has a very dense industrial concentration within the corridor from New York City to Washington, D.C. These customers and potential customers represent our core market focus for gases and welding and safety products," said Shaun Powers, Airgas Division President – North.