Shi-Wei Zhang, PhD, has been named chief chemist at Food Quality Sensor International Inc. of Lexington, Mass., a life sciences company that merges homeland security sensor science with food safety technology. Zhang will focus on optimizing current chemical formulations as well as developing new products. Zhang has worked extensively in organic chemistry, polymer-based nanotechnology and chemical sensor research. Most recently, Zhang was director of chemistry at Saoirse Corp. in Cambridge, Mass. He received his doctorate in organometalic chemistry from Kyoto University in Japan, a master’s in physical chemistry from Kyoto University and a bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from Dalian University of Technology in China.

Enviroline Group and Enviroline Monitoring Systems have announced two appointments: Elfriede Lynch-Willson as marketing manager for both Enviroline Group and Enviroline Monitoring Systems and Allan Bouwers as Enviroline Monitoring Systems’ sales representative for western Canada.

As marketing manager for Enviroline Group, Lynch-Willson is working with Teresa Valdes, sales and marking director for Enviroline Group, in the execution of plans and strategies to expand the sales of Enviroline’s high-performance coatings and linings. As marketing manager for Enviroline Monitoring Systems, a newly created position, Lynch-Willson is responsible for the development, implementation and execution of plans and strategies to promote the growth of Enviroline Monitoring Systems’ hydrogen corrosion monitor.

As sales representative for Enviroline Monitoring Systems, Bouwers is responsible for the sales and support of the Enviroline Corrosion Monitoring System in western Canada.

Bry-Air Inc., manufacturer of custom dehumidification units, welcomes Bryan Skruck as a sales associate. Skruck joins Bry-Air from Ametekco Ind. where he had a wide range of responsibility in customer service, design and technical support. He will be responsible for providing customers with solutions to moisture and humidity problems and will be working with Bry-Air’s team of regional sales managers, representatives and all employees at Bry-Air’s headquarters in Sunbury, Ohio.

The Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI) board of directors and members honored Fred Ruiz during a reception and dinner held at the Four Seasons Hotel prior to the 2008 FMI Show held in Las Vegas. Ruiz is the co-founder, chairman and CEO of Ruiz Foods Inc. Ruiz was recognized for his achievements and for Ruiz Foods’ decades of supporting FMI as both an exhibitor and host to three board dinners. Tim Hammonds, president and CEO of FMI, and Steven C. Smith, CEO of grocery store chain KVAT and the FMI chairman, presented Ruiz with a congratulatory plaque. This official recognition was attended by Kim Ruiz Beck, vice chairman, and Bryce Ruiz, president and COO.

Georgia-Pacific has announced that Patrick Smorch has been promoted to director of packaging sustainability. Smorch has spent the past five years leading the packaging systems optimization (PSO) program. The PSO team delivers a detailed report outlining areas where improved cost-savings, profitability and sustainability can be achieved. In his new role, Smorch will be responsible for Georgia-Pacific’s packaging sustainability initiative, the division design team and the PSO program. He has a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University.