Chemsultants International, of Mentor, OH, USA, has organized its staff to address the needs of its growing business, according to Richard P. Muny, founder and CEO.

Muny announced the promotion of Gary A. Avalon to the position of chief operating officer. Avalon has been with the company for five years. He spent the prior 20 years working for Avery Dennison’s Specialty Tape Division, and six years with Diamond Shamrock’s Plastic Division in various technical and business management positions.

Reporting to Avalon are Keith W. Muny, president of ChemInstruments; James Duvall, vice president technical operations; Pasco Santurri, vice president fuel cell technology; Bonnie Cole, vice president financial operations; and Jennifer Muny Raj, group services administrator.

Chemsultants International scientists specialize in developing and testing pressure sensitive adhesives, specialty coatings and related materials. The company offers pilot coating, laminating, converting and slitting capabilities as part of its product development capabilities. Additionally, as part of a $1.5 million US Department of Energy appropriation, the company has begun research in the area of polymer exchange membranes for hydrogen fuel cells, working with Michigan Molecular Institute and Case Western Reserve University.

The company is also capable of testing a broad range of label, tape and adhesive products for conformance to the standards of the Pressure Sensitive Tape Council, the Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute, ASTM International, and the European associations of Afera and FINAT, among others.