Advisors
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University of Southern Mississippi Polymer Institute
The Mississippi Polymer Institute is a research institute established by the Department of Polymer Science of the University of Southern Mississippi, the first program in the United States to offer comprehensive B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in polymer science. The Shelby Freland Thames Polymer Science Research Center is an 86,000 square foot facility owned by the University of Southern Mississippi that is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation and houses the School of Polymers and High Performance Materials Institute, the Department of Polymer Science, the Mississippi Polymer Institute and the International Coatings and Formulations Institute. Since 1993, the University's polymer science program has been continuously ranked by the U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 10 polymer science programs in the country.
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James Evans, PhD
Dr. James Evans holds a B.S. in Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is the director of the Mississippi Polymer Institute. Prior to joining the University, Dr. Evans was employed as the Vice President of Product and Technology Development for a global polymer manufacturer, Reichhold Chemicals Inc. Dr. Evans is a member of the American Chemical Society, Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology and the Industrial Research Institute. He is a former member of the Board of Directors of NCSU Physical and Mathematical Science Foundation and a former Team Leader for Corporate Global Technology Exchange Program for the Americas, Europe and Japan.
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James Rawlins, PhD
Dr. James Rawlins received his Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering and B.S. in Polymer Science from The University of Southern Mississippi. James worked at Bayer Corporation in Pittsburgh and was a Senior Research Chemist for the Coatings and Colorants Division. At Bayer's request, he moved to Germany and was promoted to the Technical Marketing Manager for the Powder Coating Raw Materials Europe, Middle East and Africa. Recently, Dr. Rawlins accepted the position of Assistant Professor of Polymer Science at the University of Southern Mississippi where he will be involved in polymeric research and development. Dr. Rawlins has delivered over 50 professional presentations. He has published six articles, currently holds a European and U.S. patent, and has applied for four additional patents during 2003. His specific areas of research are polymer design for thermosetting systems, polymer-coated surfaces, polymer interpenetrating networks, compatible and incompatible blending in crosslinked polymer systems, forensic analysis of polymers, coatings, adhesives, fibers and films, structure property-relationships with crosslinked polymer systems, raw material development from natural and renewable resources, chemical and biological agent permeability with crosslinked systems, and intelligent and responsive polymer systems. Currently, Dr. Rawlins manages a 43 person research group.
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North Carolina State University Horticulture Center
The mission of the Department of Horticultural Science of North Carolina State University is to provide innovative teaching, research, and outreach in the art and science of horticulture. The programs offered by the Department of Horticultural Science encompass the basic biology, ecology, production and utilization of horticultural products including fruits, vegetables, flowers, and landscape plants. The major goal of the Department is to meet the ever changing challenges of a highly competitive and technological world through constant evaluation and adjustment of its programs and positions.
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The Egg Factory, LLC
The Egg Factory creates and develops significant innovations. Specifically, focusing on creating and managing transformational technologies, products and business models from ideas through market entry. The end goal is to see these opportunities commercialized primarily by selling or licensing them to global companies, and when necessary, through commercialization.
Dr. Ronald Blum - Technical Advisory Board. Dr. Blum is founder and President of The Egg Factory, LLC. He has had great success in building diverse management teams needed to develop products as well as executing business strategies. He is a visionary, innovator and businessman. Dr. Blum is named as the inventor on over 50 patents. He has been on the editorial advisory boards of two national vision care industry publications. Dr. Blum has also had substantial commercial innovation success. For example, Innotech, Dr. Blum's latest company, was sold in 1997 to Johnson and Johnson for $135 million. Innotech was founded by Dr. Blum in 1990, and under his direction as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer was taken public on the NASDAQ exchange in 1996 before being sold in 1997.
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Fortis Design
Incorporated in 2001, Fortis Design has quickly grown to become one of the most successful and profitable promotional products design and marketing companies. Fortis Design specializes in the design, development and importation of custom premium promotions for large corporations, adventure sports entities and individuals. Fortis Design's principals have strong background in product design, research, and international trade. Few companies in the promotional industry posses these capabilities under one roof. Fortis Design's focus is on creativity, innovation and attention to detail.
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Robert S. Jordan
Robert Jordan is Co-Founder, President and Head Industrial Designer at Fortis Design. Before co-founding Fortis Design in 2001, he was on the teaching faculty of the North Carolina State University's Design School and had a successful consulting company where he provided creative leadership to innovation development companies and large corporations throughout the world. Prior to forming his own consulting company, Mr. Jordan was a product designer with Bally Design, an award winning product design firm. Mr. Jordan holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Psychology from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and a Master's Degree in Industrial Design from North Carolina State University.
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John Lewis
John P. Lewis, Jr. is Co-Founder and Director of Marketing at Fortis Design. He has extensive experience in Banking, Finance and Communications. Prior to co-founding Fortis Design, Mr. Lewis was the Managing Director of Absolute Lending and the founder of the Abacus Group, a business providing technical and financial support in Construction and Real Estate industries. Mr. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Finance and Communications from the University of North Carolina in Wilmington.
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Middleberg, Riddle & Gianna
Middleberg Riddle & Gianna is a partnership organized for the general practice of law. The partnership was founded in 1980, and the firm has been in continuous operation since that time. The business purpose and goal is to provide exemplary legal services to clients in accord with the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct.
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Phelps Dunbar, LLP
Founded in 1853 in New Orleans, Phelps Dunbar is one of the oldest law firms in continuous practice in the South. Our firm is a progressive and diverse partnership, with a practice that is international in scope. We now have offices in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Jackson, Tupelo, and Gulfport, Mississippi; Houston, Texas; Tampa, Florida; and London, England. We continue to look for expansion opportunities as we seek to become the Southeast's premier regional law firm.
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Michael Haynes, PLC
Michael N. Haynes has been working in the field of intellectual property for over 9 years. Mr. Haynes is a registered patent attorney whose practice encompasses all aspects of intellectual property, including procurement, counseling, licensing, and litigation.