Mike Graff joined Air Liquide in 2007 and was the former chairman, chief executive officer and president of American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc.; executive vice president and executive committee member of Air Liquide Group; and chairman of the board of Airgas. Based in Houston, Graff leads the business operations for the Americas region of Air Liquide Group, is the global chairman of the Group’s Electronics business line and supervises the Group's Engineering and Construction activities.
Graff has over 35 years of global experience in the industrial gas, energy, refining, chemicals and polymers industries. He began his career with Amoco and BP, plc. and went on to serve as president or chief executive officer of several global chemical and polymer businesses.
Graff currently serves on the board of directors of Westlake Chemical Corporation as well as a number of industry and civic organizations, including an Officer of the Board of the American Chemistry Council. He serves as a member of the Investment Advisory Council for the U.S. Department of Commerce, a principal of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s American Energy Innovation Council, and a member of the National Petroleum Council. Graff serves on the board of trustees of the Illinois Institute of Technology, the Engineering Advisory Council for Purdue University’s College of Engineering and the Board of Advisors for Rice Business School.
Graff holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Purdue University, and has been awarded recognition by both universities for his professional achievement and as a distinguished alumnus. He has completed advanced studies at the University of Chicago, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Cambridge, and the Stanford University Law School.
Along with his family, Graff participates in a variety of community service programs and activities. He is a strong advocate for STEM education, literacy and youth athletics. Graff is a member of the board of trustees for the George and Barbara Bush Foundation, the board of directors of Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas, the Leadership Council for Houston Methodist Hospital and the Baker Institute of Rice University.