Jai George

Jai has been recognized as one of North Carolina's most successful entrepreneurs and investors having founded and exited a number of international technology related firms and private equity groups.

George Quarderer, PhD, Research Scientist

After 35 years of distinguished service, Dr. George Quarderer retired from the Dow Chemical Company in 2002 as a Research Fellow. In 2000 he was awarded the prestigious H. H. Dow Medal. For more than 20 years he was also an adjunct lecturer in Chemical Engineering for his alma mater, the University of Michigan, teaching a variety of graduate level courses. George holds five degrees from the the U of M in Chemical Engineering (3) and Mathematics (2).

At Dow, George was known for the breadth of his technical expertise as well as for innovative applications of his fundamental understandings of engineering, mathematics, and process chemistry. His industrial experiences include the development of new /improved process technologies for a wide range of products. George also participated in the trouble-shooting of numerous existing production facilities and of major research projects.

Georges technical contributions have resulted in 22 U.S. Patents. During his career at Dow, in addition to the H.H. Dow Medal, George?s technical achievements were recognized by a number of awards, including: local AIChE Engineer of the Year; Central Research Inventor of the Year; and several Dow Tech Center Awards.

Dennis Hucul, PhD, Research Scientist

Dr. Dennis Hucul served over 24 years at Dow Chemical Company, having been involved in the discovery of numerous technologies, holding over 275 patents worldwide. Dr. Hucul is recognized as a global leader in catalysis research and development. Dr. Hucul is the former President of the Michigan Catalysis Society and was the 2004 winner of the prestigious Parravano Award for Excellence in Catalysis Research and Development. Dr. Hucul has extensive experience in commercial catalyst scale-up and pilot plant manufacturing.

Some of the technologies Dr. Hucul has been involved with include:

Fischer Tropsch Synthesis, Higher Alcohol Synthesis from Syngas, Hydrochlorination of Alkynes, Carbonylation of Activated Chlorohydrocarbons, Solid Acid Catalysis and Solid Base Catalysis, Hydrogenation of Aromatic Centers in Polymers, Selective Hydrogenation of Substituted Alkanes, Dehydrogenation of Substituted Cyclohexanes, Dialkyl Carbonates via Oxidative Carbonylation, Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Cyclic Alkenes and Selective Olefin Hydrogenation in High Molecular Wt. Polymers and Hydroxylation of Aromatics.