Chadwick C. (Chad) Deaton, chairman and chief executive officer of Baker Hughes, was elected today to Air Products' board of directors.

Air Products Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer John E. McGlade stated that Deaton "will add significant value to the company through his global experience and extensive knowledge of the oil and natural gas industry."

Deaton, 57, has served as chairman and CEO of Baker Hughes, an oilfield services company, since 2004. He began his career in 1976 as a field engineer for the Dowell Division of Dow Chemical, which was subsequently acquired by Schlumberger. During his 25 years with Schlumberger, he progressed through a variety of technical, management and executive positions both domestically and internationally. Prior to joining Baker Hughes, Deaton was president, director and CEO of Hanover Compressor Company from 2002-2004.

Deaton is a graduate of the University of Wyoming and currently serves as a director of Ariel, a private company. He also is a member of the National Petroleum Council, Society of Petroleum Engineers' Industrial Advisory Council and University of Wyoming Petroleum & Chemical Engineering Advisory Board. Deaton is active in numerous charitable and civic organizations, sitting on the boards of Houston Achievement Place, Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas, and the Greater Houston Partnership.