Minority small business issues will highlight scientific society symposium, August 27

The experiences of minority entrepreneurs involved in small chemical businesses will be featured at a special symposium during the 222nd national meeting of the American Chemical Society, August 26-30, in Chicago. The Society’s Committee on Minority Affairs is sponsoring the forum featuring owners who have successfully established and operated small chemical companies. State and federal experts will outline sources of support available to potential entrepreneurs. The symposium will be held Monday, August 27, and will be followed by a luncheon featuring a talk by U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.), a member of the House small business committee.

WHAT: "Small Minority Chemical Businesses: Challenges and Triumphs"

WHO: Lincoln I. Diuguid, Ph.D., founder of Du-Good Chemical Laboratory and Manufacturers, St. Louis, Mo. Diuguid was recognized by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch during the 2001 Black History Month observance as one of the most outstanding St. Louis scientists. Since its founding in 1948, Du-Good Chemical Laboratory and Manufacturers’ focus has been the development of new cosmetics and cleaners, as well as cancer research and microanalysis.

Rolando Perez, president, ADPEN Laboratories, Jacksonville, Fla.
Perez is a Cuban immigrant, having fled his native country in 1960. He graduated from Florida International University in 1975 with a chemistry degree, and has worked with Dow Chemical USA, Ciba Geigy Corporation, and Betz Paperchem. His company provides analytical services to the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.

Walter R. Benson, Ph.D., President, Benson and Associates, Bethesda, Md. Benson grew up in the Woodlawn neighborhood of Chicago. He retired from the Food and Drug Administration in Bethesda, established Benson and Associates, and has global consulting projects in Africa and the Middle East.

Trevor P. Castor, Ph.D., president, Aphios Corporation, Woburn, Mass.
Established in 1993 as a Delaware corporation, Aphios is a black-owned and operated biopharmaceutical company that is developing enhanced therapeutics for health maintenance and the treatment of human diseases.

Steve Kunkel, U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois District Office

Mark Petrilli, Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs

Jim Peters, Chicago Technology Park, a technology startup incubator

WHEN: Monday, August 27, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
Rep. Davis will speak at noon

WHERE: McCormick Place North, Room N139, Level 1