Washington, D.C. - Fuentek, LLC (http://www.fuentek.com/), a consulting firm based in Apex, N.C. that provides intellectual property (IP) and technology transfer services, has announced that Laura Schoppe, president, served as an external expert panelist for the Lab-to-Market Cross-Agency Summit. Sponsored by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the summit took place on May 20. As an expert in innovation and commercialization, Schoppe was asked to provide feedback on enhancing lab-to-market programs for the benefit of the public. The federal government invests over $140 billion in research and development annually—through research institution grants, small business contracts, and civil servant research efforts—and OSTP convened the panel to help maximize the return on investment for the US taxpayer. The summit allowed experts and federal lab staff to explore current programs and discuss challenges as well as potential solutions.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Hill, Chesson & Woody (HCW) (http://www.hcwbenefits.com), a health and welfare benefits brokerage and consulting firm that designs, manages and implements employee benefit programs, has announced that Stephanie Clark, marketing specialist, has received the 2013 40 Under 40 Leadership Award from Triangle Business Journal. Each year, the awards recognize outstanding professionals under the age of 40 for their contributions to their organizations and dedication to community service. Clark was selected among more than 300 nominees for her commitment to continuing the success of HCW, her leadership within the company and her devotion to improving the quality of life in the Triangle through her nonprofit work.

RALEIGH, N.C. – VMZINC^® -US and Umicore Building Products, USA Inc. (http://www.vmzinc-us.com/), a leading specialist in innovative zinc products manufactured and sold by the Building Products Unit of Umicore, has launched its new VMZINC Façade book, showcasing the use of zinc in exterior building structures and projects. Through pictures, the façade book provides readers the ability to visualize what each application looks like as part of a building’s structure, and provides ideas for future architectural visions. The book helps readers understand the multiple functions of zinc façade by grouping different categories together to showcase the various ways in which zinc can be used. Each category has a distinct focus: creating emotion, designing integration, protecting the environment, preferring simplicity, playing on contrasts and daring to innovate, all of which implement VMZINC solutions. Additionally, the book demonstrates how VMZINC solutions integrate intelligently into different environments and how they can be elegantly combined with other traditional architectural materials such as wood, glass, terra cotta or concrete, on both new and renovated buildings.