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Rich Chapas, Principal Prior to forming Chapas & Associates, Rich has worked for the following companies: Rayonier, Vice President of Research & Development, Kimberly-Clark, Senior R&D Manager; Johnson & Johnson, Group Leader; and Eastman Kodak, Senior Scientist. While operating his own business, he served as: Chief Operating Officer for Cara Plastics, a University of Delaware start-up companies producing bio-based materials; Industrial Liaison for the Particle Engineering Research Center at the University of Florida; Technical consultant for Wellman which is a producer and recycler of polyester fiber; and Strategic consultant for Lysac which is a Canadian, start-up producing bio-based superaborbents. Rich has a breadth of experience in developing and commercializing new products. His expertise in innovation and sustainable development provides for unique solutions to market opportunities. His patent portfolio includes products, which are generating over thirty million in sales. He has worked with USDA and NREL in developing new products. He is a member of the Industrial Research Institute, where he has served as chair for subcommittees on Knowledge Management and Research on Research. As a Board member for the Center for Sustainable Enterprise at the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina, Rich has worked with academic and industrial experts to develop a methodology for product development directed at the needs of the developing world. He has presented papers throughout the world on sustainable development. His academic training includes a B.S. in Chemistry from St. Vincent College and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from University of Illinois. His specific expertise includes natural and synthetic polymer chemistry, nonwovens, composites, adhesives, and absorbent materials. Chapas & Associates includes Kays Chinai with over thirty years experience in nonwovens and absorbent products with expertise in process and product development from raw materials to finished products. Other members of the practice have expertise in chemical synthesis and modification, quality and process control, microbiology, and analytical and product characterization. Rich Chapas, PhD |
