Beginning in 2009, Mr. Jankowski has lead Nanophase in a targeted strategic expansion in to several new markets, working directly with commercial end-users, in order to best exploit the Company’s technical and market advantages.
In addition to its legacy book of business, Nanophase has currently focused its business and technical development on four key applications areas:
-Personal Care
-Surface Finishing
-Alkaline Batteries
-Solar Control
He believes that this high degree of focus will best position Nanophase for significant near- and mid-term growth.
In addition to serving on the board of directors of Nanophase, Mr. Jankowski serves on a series of commercially-focused and non-profit boards. These currently include; the Northern Illinois Research Foundation, the NanoBusiness Commercialization Association, and Thrive Chicago. Past service has included; the TechAmerica Midwest Board, the Romeoville Economic Development Commission, and the Joliet Montessori School.
Mr. Jankowski is also a subject matter expert for the Invest Illinois Venture Fund program (a state- and federally-funded program targeting small business growth). He remains active in supporting the nano- and high-tech communities through advocacy work in the State of Illinois and in Washington DC, and is an active member of the Economic Club of Chicago.
Mr. Jankowski has been with the Company since 1995, having helped to take Nanophase public in 1997, serving as CFO from 1999 to 2009, and CEO since 2009. He holds a B.S. from Northern Illinois University and an M.B.A. from Loyola University of Chicago. During his tenure, in addition to re-focusing Nanophase’s business strategy, he has been instrumental in raising growth capital through venture, public, strategic and private funding vehicles.
Mr. Cureton joined Nanophase during November 2012 as its Vice President – Sales, Marketing and Business Development. He has since served as Chief Commercial Officer and, starting in 2019, Chief Operating Officer. Kevin’s chemical industry experience has spanned more than twenty years with companies including twelve years at AMCOL, where one of his roles was Managing Director of its nanomaterial-based Health & Beauty Solutions division. Prior to that he worked at Air Products, Borden and other entities. He holds an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago.
Dr. Sarkas holds a Ph. D. in Physical Chemistry from Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Sarkas has over 20 years of direct experience in nanomaterial synthesis, production, characterization, and product development. Dr. Sarkas joined Nanophase Technologies Corporation in 1995 after holding a fellowship at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. He is currently the Vice President of Research and Development at Nanophase Technologies. He is an inventor or co-inventor on twelve US and foreign patents and has authored over 35 technical publications.