ChemQuest Group appoints new director
With over 30 years of experience in organometallic, organic, inorganic, polymer and specialty chemicals, Dr. Lucarelli is a recognised subject matter expert and inventor in chemistry applications ranging from silicones, silanes, fumed silica, urethanes and epoxies to acrylics, particle technology and catalysis. Dr. Lucarelli possesses in-depth knowledge in coatings, adhesives, sealants and composites, which includes the chemistry of resins, additives and plastics and is accomplished at developing new chemistries within the Specialty Chemicals value chain.
Cross functionalisation of businesses
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Michael Lucarelli to our practice,” said Dan Murad, president/CEO of ChemQuest. “We feel confident that Mike’s ‘customer-centric’ approach to R&D, product development, commercialisation and cross functionalisation of businesses – combined with his extensive background in business strategy, technical marketing, manufacturing, innovation and team building skills – will nicely complement the ChemQuest Technology Institute’s technical team.”
Of his new position at ChemQuest, Mike said “I am excited to be putting my product development knowledge in multiple technological disciplines as well as my personal coaching and team building skills to work for The ChemQuest Group, Inc. to help solve problems in the chemicals industry. I look forward to my association with ChemQuest’s Technology Institute in South Boston, VA, and working with my new colleagues and clients.”
About Michael Lucarelli
Most recently, Dr. Michael Lucarelli served for 7 years as Vice President of Product Development and Commercialisation for Novinda Corporation, a startup producer of a mineral-based sorbent primarily used for removing mercury and pollutants from flue gases. From 2002 to 2008, he was Wacker Chemical’s Director of Technology where he had primary responsibility in the fumed silica and silane businesses. He has had diverse roles in marketing & sales support, technology & innovation, and manufacturing & distribution for new and existing end-products such as coatings, adhesives, sealants, and composites. Prior to that, Dr. Lucarelli made significant contributions in various senior R&D, application and technical service roles at Valspar, Cabot Corporation, GE Silicones and formerly the Mobay Corporation (now Covestro).
In 1976, Dr. Lucarelli earned his Bachelor of Science chemistry degree from Adelphi University, followed by a Ph.D. degree in Organic Chemistry from the State University of New York in 1986, after serving in the U.S. Air Force.