Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.23

                                    AGREEMENT

      This Agreement, made as of the 1st day of July, 2002 between Valley
National Gases, Inc., a Corporation, ("VALLEY") and William A. Indelicato
("INDELICATO").

         WHEREAS, Indelicato, individually and by and through his consulting
corporation ADE Vantage, Inc. ("CORPORATION") have an arrangement with Valley
National Gases, Inc., which expires June 30, 2003, for the expansion of Valley's
industrial gas and welding supply business, through acquisition and expansion of
industrial gas and welding supply distributors ("ACQUISITION PROGRAM"); and,

         WHEREAS, Valley and Indelicato desire to enter into this Agreement
setting forth Indelicato's continuing relationship with Valley for general
management consulting services and in the execution of the Acquisition Program
including compensation therefore.

         WITNESSETH in consideration the mutual promises hereinafter contained
Valley and Indelicato agree as follows:

1. Duties. Indelicato, through his position as Vice Chairman of the Board of
Directors, will provide Valley with general management consulting services and
more specifically, manage and direct the "to be hired" President and CEO at
least through the duration of this Agreement. Indelicato, together with Valley,
will qualify all potential distributors for acquisition and jointly target
distributors for acquisition solicitation ("TARGET DISTRIBUTORS"). Indelicato
will assist Valley in the solicitation, preparation of offering memoranda,
contract negotiation, due diligence and/or any other matters necessary to assist
Valley to consummate Target Distributor acquisitions in accordance with the
Board approved Acquisition Program. Compensation for such services will be
provided as part of the management service fee covered in Paragraph 10.

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2. Term. The term of this Agreement shall be one (1) year from the execution and
delivery of this Agreement.

3. Independent Contractor Status. It is understood that Indelicato is an
independent contractor, representing Valley pursuant to this Agreement, and he
shall not otherwise hold himself out to the public as employee, or partner of
Valley. As such Indelicato is responsible, where necessary, to secure at his
sole cost, worker's compensation, insurance, disability, benefits and any other
insurance as may be requires by law. Valley will not provide, nor will it be
responsible to pay for benefits for Indelicato. Any benefits, if provided by
Indelicato for himself and/or his staff, including by not limited to, health
insurance, paid vacation, paid holidays, sick leave or disability insurance
coverage of whatever nature, shall be secured and paid for by Indelicato.

4. Tax Duties and Responsibilities. Indelicato is responsible for the payment of
all required payroll taxes, whether federal, state or local in nature,
including, but not limited to, income taxes, social security taxes, federal
unemployment compensation taxes, and any other fees, charges, licenses or other
payments required by law.

5. Employee's of Independent Contractor. Indelicato may employ as many employees
as he requires, such matter resting entirely with his own discretion. Valley
need not be advised to the employment of such individuals. Such persons are
employed of Indelicato, and he shall be deemed employer of such persons. As
such, Indelicato shall be responsible for compensation as well as all necessary
insurance and payroll deductions for such persons, including but not limited to,
federal, state and local income taxes, social security taxes, unemployment
compensation taxes, workers compensation coverage, etc.

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6. ADE Vantage, Inc. Indelicato may at his sole cost and expense (except for
reimbursement support service costs as provided in Paragraph 11 hereinafter), in
his execution of the Acquisition Program engage Corporation, ADE Vantage, Inc.,
his consulting firm, as his agent and contractor to provide support services and
any other services executed pursuant to the Acquisition Program or otherwise
required by Valley, such as valuation support required by FASB 141/142. At all
times, Corporation shall solely be the contractual agent of Indelicato and not
Valley.

7. Indemnification. Indelicato shall not be liable for the acts, negligence or
defaults of any employee, agent or representative of Valley, nor shall he be
liable for anything done or not done in good faith, including errors of
judgment, acts done or committed on the advise of counsel, or mistakes of fact
or law. Indelicato shall, without prejudice to any other rights which he may
have, be indemnified by Valley against all liability and expense reasonably
incurred by him in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding of
whatever nature in which he may be involved as a party or otherwise by reason of
having entered into this Agreement and the execution of the duties assumed
hereunder relative to his execution of the Acquisition Program. Indemnification
hereunder, shall not, however, extend to any liability, loss, damage claim or
expense to the extent occasioned by or arising out of Indelicato's default
hereunder or any willful misconduct or grossly negligent act by Indelicato, his
agents and employees in his capacity as an Independent Contractor in the
execution of his duties hereunder. Further, Valley agrees that ADE Vantage, Inc.
shall not be liable and shall be held harmless for any damage or injury caused
by its negligent mistakes, errors and omissions in and about providing financial
services under this Agreement.

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8. Business of Independent Contractor. During the term of this Agreement,
Indelicato may engage in any other business which does not conflict with his
duties hereunder, conflict with Valley's business, or otherwise impair the
successful execution and implementation of either his management consulting
services or the Acquisition Program.

9. Supervision. Indelicato shall not be subject to the provisions of any
personnel handbook or the rules and regulations of applicable employees to
Valley since Indelicato shall fulfill his responsibilities independent of any
without supervision or control by Valley.

10. Compensation. Indelicato's compensation hereunder shall be set forth as
follows:

     a.  Indelicato will be paid a management service fee of $7,000 per month by
         cash payment [to be paid, (1) for the first six months $4,000 per month
         and a lump sum payment of $18,000 paid between January 1, 2003 and
         January 7, 2003 and (2) for the last six months $7,000 per month.].

     b.  Valley shall reimburse Indelicato by cash payment for all out of pocket
         expenses reasonably incurred by him, while rendering services in
         support of the Acquisition Program, which includes office rent (not to
         exceed $800 per month) cellular phone monthly charges, charges for
         phone service, which is exclusively for Valley's benefit and part time
         secretarial support.

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11. Reimbursable Support Service.

         a. Financial. Indelicato shall be entitled for financial support
         services for financial projections, evaluations as well as other
         necessary and required analyses prepared for Indelicato by independent
         professional agents obtained for this specific purpose, at the rate of
         sixty six dollars and fifty cents ($66.50) per hour as such support
         service costs are incurred during the term of is Agreement. Valley and
         Indelicato agree that they intend to use ADE Vantage, Inc. for
         financial services.

         b. Indelicato will also be personally reimbursed for his time spent on
         the Acquisition Program at a rate of eighty six dollars and fifty cents
         ($86.50) per hour up to a maximum of 420 hours per year. It is intended
         that the Acquisition Program be selective, with the anticipated annual
         expenditure for acquisitions by Valley being in the range of $4.2
         million.

12. Assignment. Indelicato shall not sell, assign or transfer this Agreement,
however, he shall have the limited right to assign the Agreement to the
Corporation.

13. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be subject to and governed by the laws
of the State of West Virginia.

14. Renewal. This Agreement may be renewed for one year periods upon written
acknowledgment by both parties 30 days prior to expiration.

15. Waiver. The waiver by either party of a breach of any provision in the
Agreement shall not operate or be construed to operate as a waiver of any
subsequent breach.

16. Modification. No change, modification or waiver of any term of this
Agreement shall be valid unless it is in writing and signed by both parties.

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17. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between
the parties and supersedes all prior Agreements or understandings between Valley
and Indelicato, with the exception of the letter agreements pertaining to
deferred compensation on future acquisitions.

18. Captions. The captions are inserted for convenience only and shall not be
considered when interpreting any provision or terms hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of this day of
May, 2002.

                                            VALLEY NATIONAL GASES, INC.

                                            By /s/ Gary E. West
                                               --------------------------------
                                                   Gary E. West

                                            Its /s/ Gary E. West
                                               --------------------------------
                                                   Chairman

                                            /s/ William A. Indelicato
                                               --------------------------------
                                                   William A. Indelicato

                                       6<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 10.24

                                    AGREEMENT

         This Agreement, made as of the 11th day of February, 2002 by and
between Valley National Gases, Inc., a corporation, ("VALLEY") whose address is
67-43rd Street, Wheeling, WV 26003 and August E. Maier ("MAIER") whose address
is 330 Trailside Drive, Sewickley, PA 15143.

         WHEREAS, Valley conducts business and operations, inter alia, for the
sale and distribution of welding supply products, industrial and specialty
gases, liquid propane, robotics, fire safety equipment as well as products and
services related thereto ("BUSINESS"); and

         WHEREAS, Maier has extensive management and organizational expertise
and skills with respect to oversight, operation and control of the Business;
and,

         WHEREAS, Valley desires to retain Maier as a consultant and advisor
relative to the oversight, management, organization and control of Valley and
its Business; and Maier desires to be retained by Valley as a consultant and
advisor as aforesaid; and

         WHEREAS, Valley and Maier by the execution and delivery of this
Agreement do hereby formalize this consulting arrangement.

         WITNESSETH in consideration the mutual promises hereinafter contained
Valley and Maier agree as follows:

         1. Duties. During the Term of this Agreement, Maier shall consult with
and advise Valley with respect to the oversight, management, organization and
control of Valley and its Business, as reasonably requested by Valley and at
such times and places as mutually agreeable to Maier and Valley.

         2. Term. The term of this Agreement shall be four (4) months commencing
on the 11th day of February, 2002 and terminating on the 10th day of June, 2002.
The Term may be extended, from time to time, after the stated expiration herein
by mutual agreement of Maier and Valley.

         3. Independent Contractor Status. It is understood that Maier is an
independent contractor, retained by Valley pursuant to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement, and he shall not otherwise hold himself out to the public as
an employee or partner of Valley. This Agreement does not constitute an
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employment contract and nothing in this Agreement grants to or creates for the
benefit of Maier any employment relationship, status, rights, privileges or
benefits. As such Maier is responsible, where necessary, to secure at his sole
cost, worker's compensation, insurance, disability, benefits and any other
insurance as may be required by law. Valley will not provide, nor will it be
responsible to pay for benefits for Maier. Any benefits, if provided by Maier
for himself and/or his staff, including but not limited to, health insurance,
paid vacation, paid holidays, sick leave or disability insurance coverage of
whatever nature, shall be secured and paid for by Maier.

         4. Tax Duties and Responsibilities. Maier is responsible for the
payment of all required payroll taxes, whether federal, state or local in
nature, including, but not limited to, income taxes, social security taxes,
federal unemployment compensation taxes, and any other fees, charges, licenses
or other payments required by law.

         5. Employee's of Independent Contractor. Maier may employ as many
employees as he requires in discharging his duties and providing the consulting
services to be provided by him hereunder, such matter resting entirely with his
own discretion. Valley need not be advised to the employment of such
individuals. Such persons are employees of Maier, and he shall be deemed
employer of such persons. As such, Maier shall be responsible for compensation
as well as all necessary insurance and payroll deductions for such persons,
including but not limited to, federal, state and local income taxes, social
security taxes, unemployment compensation taxes, workers compensation coverage,
etc.

         6. Indemnification. Maier shall not be liable for the acts, negligence
or defaults of third parties in and about the supervision, management,
operations and control of Valley and its Business, including especially, but not
limited to the acts, negligence or defaults of any employee, agent or
representative of Valley; nor shall Maier be liable for anything done or not
done in good faith, including errors of judgment, acts done or committed on the
advice of counsel, or mistakes of fact or law; and

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Maier shall, without prejudice to any other rights which he may have, be
indemnified by Valley against all liability and expense reasonably incurred by
him in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding of whatever nature
in which he may involved as a party or otherwise by reason of the foregoing.

         7. Business of Independent Contractor. During the term of this
Agreement, Maier may engage in any other business which does not conflict with
his duties hereunder or conflict with Valley's business. It is understood that
Maier will not devote his entire time and efforts to his duties under this
Agreement. The parties agree that Maier will not be requested to provide more
than forty (40) hours of consulting services hereunder during any one (1) week
during the Term of the Agreement.

         8. Supervision. Maier shall not be subject to the provisions of any
personnel handbook or the rules and regulations of applicable employees to
Valley since Maier shall fulfill his duties hereunder independent of and without
supervision or control by Valley.

         9. Compensation. Maier shall be compensated for consulting services
hereunder as follows:

         a.       Maier shall be compensated at the rate of Eighty Dollars
                  ($80.00) per hour for consulting services rendered for Valley
                  pursuant to this Agreement.

         b.       Valley shall reimburse Maier for all out of pocket expenses
                  reasonably incurred by him, while rendering consulting
                  services to Valley as provided for in this Agreement.

         c.       Maier shall furnish Valley an itemized statement for
                  consulting services rendered hereunder and time expended
                  relative thereto as well as such expenses reasonably incurred
                  as provided for next above, following each month during the
                  Term of this Agreement and as well following the last day of
                  the Term of this Agreement. Valley shall remit to Maier
                  payment for such consulting services rendered and expenses
                  incurred as reflected upon said statements within twenty (20)
                  days after receipt thereof.

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         10. Assignment by Maier. Maier shall not sell, assign or transfer this
Agreement without prior written consent of Valley, which consent may be withheld
by Valley, for any reason, in its sole and absolute discretion; except that
Maier may freely assign this Agreement to any corporation, limited liability
company or other business entity solely owned and operated by Maier.

         11. Assignment by Valley. Valley's rights, privileges, obligations and
liabilities under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon their respective successors and assigns.

         12. Waiver of Breach. The waiver by Valley of a breach of any provision
of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any
subsequent breach by Maier. The waiver by Maier of a breach of any provision of
this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent
breach by Valley.

         13. Arbitration. Any dispute between Maier and Valley concerning the
terms of this Agreement, including whether a breach has occurred, will be
settled by arbitration in Wheeling, Ohio County, West Virginia and will be
governed by the rules and procedures of the American Arbitration Association.
The costs (exclusive of attorneys' fees) of arbitration will be equally divided,
one-half (1/2) to Maier and one-half (1/2) to Valley. The losing party will be
solely responsible for both sides' attorneys' fees.

         14. Notices. All notices required to be given hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be sent by certified mail, postage prepaid, to Valley and/or
to Maier at the addresses indicated below, unless written notice of change of
address is provided to other party at the address indicated.

                  To Valley:  Valley National Gases, Inc., Inc., 67 - 43rd
                    Street, Wheeling, West Virginia
                    26003; Attention:  William A. Indelicato.
                  To Maier:  August E. Maier, 300 Trailside Drive, Sewickley,
                    Pennsylvania  15143

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         15. Entire Agreement. This instrument contains the entire agreement
between the parties, and supercedes all prior agreements or understandings,
written or oral, between Valley and Maier. This Agreement may not be changed
orally, but only by an agreement in writing signed by the party against whom
enforcement of any waiver, change, modification, extension or discharge is
sought.

         16. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of West Virginia.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
11th day of February, 2002.

                                   VALLEY NATIONAL GASES, INC., A WEST VIRGINIA
                                   CORPORATION

                             By    /s/ William A. Indelicato             2/21/02
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                   Its Chief Executive Officer

                                   /s/  August E. Maier             Feb 19, 2002
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                        AUGUST E. MAIER

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