For Them, Airgas Truly is Family

In 1986, Timothy Mitchell was working as a bank teller in Richmond, Virginia, when his older brother Lester came through his line to cash the paycheck he earned as an Airco (later Airgas) route driver. That chance encounter led to two generations—and five family members so far—joining the Airgas workforce.

“I saw Lester’s paycheck and that was all she wrote,” remembers Timothy. “When I asked what kind of company it was, he said it was great. I knew I could trust my brother, and one month later I was a filler.”

At family gatherings, the two brothers spread the word that “Airgas has got something for everyone” and that it was “a super company doing all sorts of things to better the world.” In short order, two brothers-in-law—Terrill Thornton Sr. and Todd Thornton—came on board at the Richmond branch.

Four decades later, spanning nearly the entire history of Airgas, the four family members are still at Airgas, and the next generation is joining them. Terrill “TJ” Thornton Jr. was hired nine years ago as a Plant Operator and is now a Total Gas Management (TGM) Operations Manager in Richmond. He loves working with family members—most of the time.

“The combined experience of my dad and uncles—totaling 138 years!—gives me the tools and know-how to be a stronger asset to the organization,” says TJ. “But it also means I can’t escape them in regards to any trash talk during football season.”

Recently, Newsweek named Airgas one of America’s Greatest Workplaces, but for years the Mitchells and Thorntons have been a walking-and-talking advertisement for the Airgas associate experience.

As District Manager, Timothy lets potential hires know that “if it’s good enough for my family, you can believe that it’s good enough for you.” And together, the five family members show the many different career journeys available at Airgas—from Lester’s decades-long stint as a driver to TJ’s quick rise through the management ranks.

“Our whole family is so proud of Terrill’s accomplishments so early in his career,” says his uncle Timothy. “He’s the first, but just get ready for the rest of our kids to start coming through!”

For his part, TJ says he is “forever grateful” for the family ties that led him to a career at Airgas.

“The opportunities are truly endless at Airgas,” says the younger Thornton. “One thing you can say about my family is that we all know a good opportunity when we see one. I’m not at all surprised that we chose to go the Airgas way!”

One Family: 147 Years of Airgas Experience

• Lester Mitchell—Route Driver, Richmond Branch (38 years at Airgas)
• Timothy Mitchell—District Manager of MVA West, Virginia-Maryland (35 years)
• Terrill Thornton Sr.—Warehouse Manager, Richmond Branch (35 years)
• Benjamin “Todd” Thornton—Plant Operator, Richmond Branch (30 years)
• Terrill “TJ” Thornton Jr.—Total Gas Management (TGM) Operations Manager (9 years)