Air Products siad that Dr. Samir J. Serhan, executive vice president, has been appointed chief operating officer of the company.

 

Seifi Ghasemi, Air Products’ chairman, president and chief executive officer, said, “Samir has been key to our ability to win and execute the largest and most complex projects in our company’s history. He has also successfully transformed our Global Engineering, Manufacturing, Technology and Equipment organization as well as the businesses under his responsibility. As Air Products continues to provide industrial gases and applications expertise that improve productivity, efficiency and environmental performance, we also are deploying gasification, carbon capture and hydrogen for mobility and energy transition solutions to help meet the world’s needs for clean, sustainable energy and higher-value end products. I look forward to Samir’s continued leadership across these areas, serving our customers and creating value for our shareholders.” 

 

Dr. Serhan joined Air Products in 2016 as executive vice president, leading the company’s Technology, Engineering, Project Execution, Procurement, Manufacturing, Construction and Start-up functions and having profit and loss responsibility for the Equipment Sales and Plant Support, Liquefied Natural Gas technology and equipment, PRISM Membrane Systems, Gardner Cryogenics and Rotoflow businesses. 

 

In 2018, Dr. Serhan’s role was expanded to include the identification, development and commercial negotiation for all large projects. In 2019, he assumed full responsibility for the company’s business in the Middle East. In January 2020, he assumed reporting responsibility for Americas Operations and HyCO franchises and stand-alone plants. With his appointment as COO, Dr. Serhan further assumes full profit and loss responsibility for the Americas, Air Products’ largest operating region, representing 45 percent of total company sales in fiscal 2019. 

 

Commenting on the appointment, Dr. Serhan said, “Each day affords us new opportunities to help our customers improve their operations and meet pressing energy and environmental needs around the world. I am honored to work with our talented and high-performing Air Products teams around the globe to make this a reality, and I look forward to progressing the many opportunities in front of us.”

 

Dr. Serhan brings more than 25 years of industry experience over his career at Air Products and with previous companies. He holds a Ph.D. in engineering mechanics from Virginia Tech.