Baker to retire, Wagner new Air Products chief

Abstract

On May 1, Air Products & Chemicals will get a new chairman and chief executive officer, only the fourth in the company's 52-year history. On that date, Harold A. Wagner will succeed Dexter F. Baker, who has headed the company since December 1986 and who will reach the company's mandatory 65-year retirement age in April. The 56-year-old Wagner has been president and chief operating officer since July of last year, a position that he will retain. Like Baker, Wagner has had considerable international experience. Almost one third of his tenure with the company has been spent in international management positions, including president of Air Products' European operations. He also has had senior management experience in both the industrial gases and chemicals groups—Air Products' two largest businesses. During Baker's five-year term as chief executive officer, Air Products has added almost $800 million to its annual sales, which in its fiscal-year 1991 were $2.93 billion. During the ...