| Murray Hill, New Jersey, U.S., August 6, 2008 – Mike McGowan, head of hydrogen solutions for Linde North America, has been named chairman of the National Hydrogen Association (NHA), the world’s largest hydrogen technology trade association.
Linde North America is a member of The Linde Group, one of the world’s largest producers and suppliers of hydrogen. NHA’s 110-plus members include automakers, hydrogen suppliers, energy producers, fuel cell manufacturers and other technology providers. The NHA seeks to promote the development and commercialization of hydrogen technologies and their use in industrial and consumer applications.
During his two-year tenure as chairman, McGowan is responsible for leading the NHA, through its members, to create a shared vision for the deployment of hydrogen technologies and expanding hydrogen infrastructure.
McGowan has served since 2003 on the NHA’s Board of Directors and on its executive committees. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the U.S. Fuel Cell Council and for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Canada, where he also serves on the Executive Committee.
“It is a very appropriate time for the NHA to choose a chair from an industrial gases company. Our industry serves the entire spectrum of NHA membership, from automotive and bus fleet applications to folk lift trucks, backup power systems and even micro-electronic devices. I am very proud and privileged to be chairing the NHA at such an exciting and pivotal juncture in the ongoing effort to make the promise of hydrogen a reality,” McGowan said.
McGowan is a graduate of Notre Dame University and received a MBA from Columbia University. He has worked in the industrial gases industry since 1994, when he joined BOC Gases, later acquired by Linde. McGowan previously worked as product manager of hydrogen and non-cryogenic solutions, where he managed the company’s liquid and onsite hydrogen and non-cryogenic nitrogen businesses.
Since its inception, the NHA, founded in 1989 by university, research, small business and industry members, has guided the hydrogen community’s efforts to create a shared vision for the hydrogen energy infrastructure. Today the NHA serves as a catalyst for information exchange and cooperative projects and provides the setting for mutual support among industry, government, and research/academic organizations.
The Linde Group has more than 50,000 employees working in around 100 countries worldwide. In the 2007 financial year it achieved sales of EUR 12.3 billion (USD 18.7 billion). The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards earnings-based and sustainable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services.
Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. Linde is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.
For more information, see The Linde Group web site at www.linde.com/hydrogen
Contact:
Peter Gavigan
Linde corporate communications
908-771-1512
Peter.gavigan@linde.com |
