Chemical Consultants Network
February 13, 2013 Meeting

Date & Time:  Wednesday, February 13th, at the Cynwyd Club, Bala Cynwyd, PA

Networking, 5:30 PM; Dinner, 6:30 PM; Talk and Business Session, 7:30 PM

The ACS Entrepreneurship Initiative

David Harwell, PhD 
Assistant Director for 
Career Management and Development
American Chemical Society

Abstract
The Entrepreneurship Initiative brings together existing programs related to entrepreneurs and career planning and creates two new programs that respond to the recent recommendations of ACS Past-President Joseph S. Francisco’s nine-member Presidential Task Force on Innovation. Among its findings, the Task Force concluded that: a) historic job losses have occurred over the past 20 yearsundefinedapproximately 300,000 U.S.-based chemist jobs, b) disruptive chemical innovation is not occurring fast enough, c) more must be done to educate chemists about entrepreneurship as a viable alternative career track, and d) economists agree that most job growth will be in entrepreneurial and small businesses. More specifically, the Task Force had four recommendations. This initiative responds to two of those recommendations that ACS: 1) create a “technological farmer’s market” to support entrepreneurs by facilitating more affordable access to resources that could foster the creation and growth of chemical start-ups and 2) promote awareness of career pathways and educational opportunities that involve or include entrepreneurship.  The presentation will focus on the implementation of these recommendations and look at how the new Entrepreneurial Training Program and the Entrepreneurial Resources Center fit into the larger context of ACS Careers.

Biography
David Harwell is the Assistant Director for Career Management and Development at the American Chemical Society.  In this role he develops employment and professional development strategies for ACS members, and chemical professionals.  He also provided support to the Presidential Task Force on Innovation and the Chemical Enterprise, and he is the project lead for the Society’s new Entrepreneurial Initiatives including the Entrepreneurial Training Program, and the Entrepreneurial Resources Center.  Before joining the ACS staff, David obtained his Ph.D. in chemistry at Texas Tech University, worked as a postdoctoral researcher at UCLA, and served on the faculty of the University of Hawaii.

Location
The Cynwyd Club, 332 Trevor Lane, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. From I-76, drive S on City Line Ave. (US Rte. 1). Turn right on Conshohocken State Rd. (Rte. 23); stay in right lane. After the second light watch for white left-turn arrows painted on street (about 0.14 mile). Do not follow Rte. 23 left at turn but instead go straight ahead onto Llandrillo Rd. (passing to the right of Valley Press printing). After one block bear left onto Trevor Lane at stop sign. Clubhouse and parking are on the left. Please park in lot if space is available; otherwise park on Trevor Lane.  If lost, call the club at 610-667-4524, ext. 2.