Karen Gilgenbach

Karen Gilgenbach is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in the marketing and operations sectors, currently serving as Senior Vice President of Marketing at MATHESON since June 2021. With a strong commitment to safety and customer service, Karen has led significant teams and initiatives, including managing 13 direct reports and roughly 400 indirect reports as Zone Vice President. Additionally, Karen holds a position as Director at Large on the Board of Directors for the American Welding Society, beginning a term in May 2024. Previously, Karen amassed a wealth of expertise at Airgas, rising through various roles such as Area Vice President and District Manager, and played key technical and product management roles early in the career at Linde Gas USA, LLC. Academically, Karen holds multiple advanced degrees, including an MBA and an MS in Finance from Indiana University, along with a Master's in Welding Engineering from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Mechanics from Michigan State University.