MATHESON

The Gas Professionals

Our People

Joe Wallace – November Employee Spotlight

Meet Joe Wallace, a dedicated member of the MATHESON team with a wealth of experience and a passion for problem-solving. Joe, a 23-year welding engineer, has been an integral part of MATHESON for six years, providing support to the sales team and creating solutions to welding and manufacturing issues. Joe also served our country for 25 years in the United States Air Force. After serving 5 years of active duty, Joe continued on for 20 years as a jet mechanic at the Rickenbacker Air National Guard base in Ohio before retiring as Master Sergeant.

Joe’s typical day is dynamic and diverse, traveling across his territory and collaborating with Outside Sales Representatives to drive new business growth. Joe believes that collaboration is key, and he works closely with his team to strategize and plan site visits to best achieve their goals. As a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, experienced metalworker, and welding process specialist, Joe brings a deep well of expertise to the table, helping solve manufacturing issues and ensuring existing accounts thrive. 

Moral courage is the most valuable and usually the most absent characteristic in men.

George S. Patton

What Joe enjoys most about MATHESON is the opportunity to work in a wide range of welding and engineering technologies. He appreciates that the company is solution-focused and values the drive for business growth. 

One of his proudest accomplishments involved successfully closing a sale on a high-value automation system to a previous customer by leveraging his strong rapport with a retired engineer to connect with new manufacturing leadership, delivering a tailored solution. This success story and more are a testament to Joe’s ability to build trust, provide sound solutions, and foster long-lasting relationships with clients. 

Outside of work, Joe’s passion for welding and engineering extends to him being an avid model hobbier. He is a huge fan of his alma mater, The Ohio State Buckeyes, and football. He also enjoys outdoor activities like canoeing, fishing, and running.

Joe’s words of wisdom for colleagues and aspiring professionals in his field are to be open-minded, solution-focused, and to leverage their network. His anecdote about persistence is a valuable lesson in sales – “Never give up.” He stresses the importance of staying connected and waiting for the right moment to win over potential clients. Joe always finds motivation when facing a problem or challenge from a quote by General George Patton: “Moral courage is the most valuable and usually the most absent characteristic in men.”

Joe Wallace embodies the spirit of MATHESON as a dynamic, solution-driven, and collaborative individual. His story serves as an inspiration for aspiring professionals, reminding them that dedication, an open mind, and a relentless pursuit of solutions are the keys to thriving in the world of welding, sales, and engineering. MATHESON thanks Joe for his service and dedication.

Do you want to join the MATHESON team? Learn about all our open positions:

view career opportunities

Mario Wilson – October Employee Spotlight

Meet Mario Wilson, our October Employee Spotlight. He is an integral part of the MATHESON team as Distribution Manager at our Miami facility. Mario’s journey at MATHESON spans seven years and it’s the fantastic people and the great work environment that make waking up for work easier.

As Distribution Manager, Mario starts his day by ensuring drivers have everything they need to carry out their tasks effectively. This includes routing drivers for the next day, reviewing legal paperwork, and ensuring all trucks are running smoothly. His previous experience as a driver gives him a unique perspective and the ability to relate to his fellow drivers.

One of the significant challenges he faces in his role is truck maintenance. The importance of well-maintained trucks can be quite demanding; however, Mario’s dedication ensures that the MATHESON fleet is always in top shape.

When asked about his proudest accomplishments at MATHESON, Mario’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. He began as an emergency driver, quickly progressing to a full-time driver role. Shortly thereafter, he was offered the role of Night Shift Lead and eventually earned the position of Distribution Manager. All these achievements occurred in a remarkably short time frame, underscoring his tremendous dedication and potential.

Mario also highlighted the outstanding company culture at MATHESON. Safety is paramount, and the shared commitment to safety among employees creates a unique and supportive atmosphere. Craig Oreo, the Hub Plant Manager, works closely with Mario and stands out as an inspirational figure for him.

Mario’s career path has also led him to be involved in training new candidates, which can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. The bond formed between trainees and their instructors is something Mario values deeply.

Outside of work, Mario enjoys spending quality time with his wife and family. They love going out for meals together and creating memorable moments.

For new employees, Mario emphasizes that MATHESON offers a unique family culture and boundless opportunities for those with the right mindset and guidance. His advice to colleagues and aspiring professionals is to take pride in their work, practice safety at all times, and remember the mantra from Denzel Washington, “Each one, teach one”, a philosophy that would make the world a better place.

Mario’s journey serves as an inspiring testament to the opportunities and personal growth that can be achieved through dedication, hard work, and a supportive company culture. He is an invaluable member of the MATHESON family, and his story continues to inspire those around him.

Do you want to join the MATHESON team? Learn about all our open positions.

View Career opportunities

Nick Jarred – September Employee Spotlight

Meet Nick Jarred, an exceptional member of our team and the Maintenance Manager at our affiliate company, Continental Carbonic Products, Inc. (CCPI) Beatrice, NE Plant. Nick’s dedication to his role and the company has brought a significant positive impact to our operations.

Nick joined CCPI in 2021, and in just three years, he has become an instrumental part of the team. As Maintenance Manager, Nick’s daily responsibilities include ensuring all equipment is operational and ready for use, managing spare parts inventory, collaborating with local vendors for projects, and supporting the Plant Manager with cost-saving initiatives.

Before joining CCPI, Nick was a Maintenance Manager at a groundbreaking alternative energy plant. Although the plant showcased an impressive product, funding challenges led to its closure after three years. Following this experience, Nick’s expertise brought him to CCPI, where he has thrived and made significant strides in enhancing the culture.

One of Nick’s most notable accomplishments at CCPI is shifting the maintenance team’s approach from reactive to proactive. Through his leadership, the team focuses on root-cause failure analysis, which has resulted in improved overall equipment efficiency and reduced repetitive failures. This shift has boosted efficiency and positioned CCPI’s Beatrice Plant as a reliable swing plant capable of supporting other locations as needed.

Beyond his professional achievements, Nick’s remarkable dedication to safety deserves recognition. Safety is a top priority for CCPI, and Nick’s focus on proactive safety measures has ensured the well-being of the maintenance team and improved overall operational safety.

Nick is not only a dedicated professional but also a compassionate colleague. During challenging times, such as the COVID crisis, Nick’s supportive nature and open-door policy have made a tremendous difference for his teammates. He considers the CCPI team a family, and this camaraderie has fostered a work environment prioritizing collaboration and mutual support.

Nick enjoys fishing and spending quality time with his family outside of work. He finds solace at Table Rock Lake in Southern Missouri, a place he describes as his favorite in the world. He relishes the clear, deep waters there and envisions retiring to a lake house someday.

In closing, Nick Jarred’s journey at CCPI exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and dedication that defines our company. His unwavering commitment to safety and proactive approach to maintenance has been instrumental in our success. We are fortunate to have Nick as part of our team, and we look forward to his continued contributions to shaping CCPI’s bright future.

Meet Brian, Our July Employee Spotlight

Our employee spotlight this month is Brian, an Outside Sales Representative at MATHESON, whose dedication spans over a thirty-two-year duration with our company. Twenty-one of those years have been dedicated to his role as an Outside Sales Representative. His wealth of experience and dedication have made him an invaluable asset to the company and its customers.

Brian’s journey at MATHESON began in Lincoln, NE, where he started as a warehouse employee painting cylinders. Over the years, he took on various roles, including loading trucks, serving as a backup route driver, managing shipping and receiving, and working in our retail location. In 2002, he transitioned to his current position as an Outside Sales Representative and has excelled in this role ever since.

I am incredibly grateful for the outstanding crew I work with. They provide invaluable support behind the scenes, allowing me to dedicate more time to engaging with customers on the road.

Brian

As an Outside Sales Representative, Brian’s primary responsibility is building customer relationships and providing them with product guidance. Brian takes pride in understanding his customers’ unique challenges and offering them the right solutions tailored to their specific needs.

Throughout his career, Brian has embraced a continuous learning mindset. He has attended numerous training seminars and webinars to become an expert in the marketplace. Brian (and all our sales representatives) are American Welding Society (AWS) certified, allowing them to provide expert guidance for customers’ welding needs. Brian is currently a Certified Welding Supervisor. Before joining MATHESON, Brian developed his welding skills at a technical college and gained four years of experience in the field. This background has been instrumental in his successful career journey.

“At the store where I am employed, our team consists of twelve exceptional individuals. I am incredibly grateful for the outstanding crew I work with. They provide invaluable support behind the scenes, allowing me to dedicate more time to engaging with customers on the road. Their assistance is instrumental in ensuring our collective success.”

Outside of work, Brian enjoys many hobbies. He is an avid golfer and enjoys spending time on the course. Additionally, he has a workshop equipped with welding machines, a plasma cutter, and various tools. Brian finds great satisfaction in working on metal projects during his free time.

Brian’s profound enthusiasm for welding has immensely contributed to his role as an Outside Sales Representative. His understanding of fabrication and welding equipment has significantly facilitated his work, enabling him to become a proficient authority in the products he markets.

Brian’s impressive tenure at MATHESON and extensive knowledge and passion for his work make him an outstanding member of the MATHESON team. His ability to build strong customer relationships and his unwavering commitment to learning and improving continues to build his success. MATHESON is fortunate to have Brian as a valued employee.

Do you want to work for MATHESON? Learn about all our open positions. 

view career opportunities

Meet Cassandra, Our June Employee Spotlight

We are excited to shine a spotlight on Cassandra, the dedicated and accomplished HYCO Plant Manager in Anacortes, Washington. Cassandra has been a valuable team member since February 2022, bringing over 15 years of experience in the gas industry.

Cassandra’s career path has been dynamic. Starting in 2008, she embarked on a journey that led her through various roles within the industrial gas industry. From cylinder maintenance to sales, administration, special projects, and management, Cassandra has gained invaluable experience. She has worked with other companies prior to her work here at MATHESON, honing her skills in production improvement, safety programs, and policy writing.

In her current position as the Plant Manager, Cassandra’s wealth of experience proves instrumental. She oversees equipment maintenance and ensures the smooth operation of the plant. Additionally, Cassandra works alongside her team to provide training and guidance on maintenance, equipment, and process chemistry. Her expertise allows her to identify areas for improvement, boost productivity, and enhance safety protocols.

Moreover, Cassandra skillfully manages billing and accounting responsibilities, demonstrating her versatility in handling various aspects of plant operations. Additionally, she spearheads project management efforts during maintenance or downtime periods, showcasing her proactive approach to maximizing productivity. Cassandra’s ability to seamlessly transition between different roles underscores her adaptability and commitment to maintaining efficiency and effectiveness throughout the facility.

The diversity and variety in Cassandra’s role are what she enjoys most. Cassandra values the dynamic nature of her job, which challenges her and promotes ongoing personal development. The opportunity to make adjustments, complete repairs, and implement efficient processes brings her immense satisfaction. Witnessing tangible improvements and operations running efficiently fuels Cassandra’s passion for her work.

Outside of work, Cassandra embraces an active outdoor lifestyle. She finds joy in gardening and strives to maximize efficiency in her garden through companion planting and other techniques. Hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting are among her favorite activities. Cassandra and her daughter like to perform community outreach. Recently, they prepared brownies as a token of gratitude, expressing their heartfelt appreciation for the firefighters’ dedicated service.

We are grateful to have Cassandra as a vital part of our team at MATHESON. Her expertise, versatility, and unwavering dedication have significantly impacted our operations. We appreciate her commitment to excellence and positive approach to every challenge. Do you want to work for MATHESON? Learn about all our open positions. 

view career opportunities