The Department of Chemistry Leadership Board was established in the Spring of 2011 to provide guidance and support for the Department’s continual drive for excellence. The Board, made up of business, academic, and community leaders, adopted the mission statement: “To offer leadership and guidance, to provide financial strength, and to achieve national acclaim as a top 10 Department of Chemistry.”
George Locko, Ph.D.
Consultant Arizona Chemical Company
Biographical Info
George A. Locko attended the Savannah College of Art Design for three years and ultimately earned his B.S. degree in 1969 from East Carolina University. He earned an M.S. Degree in Chemistry from UF in 1971 and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from UF in 1976 under the direction of John Zoltewicz.
George worked his entire career in pine-based chemicals and was promoted to Senior Scientist and then Group Leader early in his career, which began at Union Camp Corporation Technology Center, November 1976. UCC was later merged into International Paper Company (Arizona Chemical Co.). George was instrumental in integrating staff from Arizona and UCC, and in moving operations to Savannah, Georgia, where he eventually held the position of Senior Technology Manager for the 55 person lab. He voluntarily stepped down as Senior Technology Manager in 2011, and assumed role of Sr. Principal Scientist. During the last few years, George has headed up the “New Ideas Database” program, and was instrumental in working with Arizona attorneys in successfully defending patent applications, especially overseas filings. Technical areas of expertise include: Pine-based chemicals/renewable resources; Inks, Coatings, Cosmetics and Flavor and Fragrance chemistries, including “malodor-counteractant” technology (Bush Boake & Allen – now part of IFF); and Patent art. George is the inventor or co-inventor of 13 patents and published patent applications (7 granted US patents).
George has sincere interests in pushing renewable resource chemistries, especially integration of “cross-functional” chemical technologies to expand capabilities/business, and in building business-university ties for mutual benefit. A recent suggestion was to build awareness of Arizona Chemical renewable chemistries/capabilities at UF, and other southeastern universities. He personally developed and sponsored LSU Chem E – Arizona Chemical project in 2009 – 2011 and has visited other universities, mostly in the US.