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About CRS Committees

One of the Many Faces of the CRS
Chuck Frey

Please define the Consumer and Diversified Products (C&DP) track of CRS.

As its name hints, the C&DP track focuses on controlled release in non-pharmaceutical and non-drug areas that are not within the scope of the Bioactive Materials or Veterinary tracks. Traditionally, this track’s interests have focused on food, nutritional, personal care, household, agricultural, pest control, and diverse industrial or chemical applications. More recently, nutraceutical, cosmetic, cosmeceutical, textile, and other application areas have realized significant or growing interest. This track has dealt with or could potentially deal with controlled release, delivery, or containment in many diverse capacities, including the following:
- Odors and flavors in ingested and masticated products
- Color release in novelty food systems
- Odor or perspiration control components
- Cleaning agents in detergents and soaps
- Ripening agents in food packaging or storage
- Increased shelf stability of stocked products
- Sea lamprey control in the Great Lakes
- Rodent or insect control in buildings
- Sunscreen agents and skin medicants
- Seed germination control
- Soil nutrient systems
- Plant disease control
- Failure indicators in paints and coatings
- Self-healing systems for paints and coatings
- Membrane porosity measurement systems
- Textile cleaning aids, odor controls, or insect repellent systems
- Oxidizers in tertiary oil recovery
- Diesel engine coolant stabilizers
- Lubricant additives
- Chemical reaction initiators or control agents
- Introduction of genetically engineered organisms into an environment
It is difficult to define all that is C&DP in a title or a few words. Non-pharmaceutical is perhaps the simplest way to classify us, but an awareness of the industries and applications gives the truest sense of what C&DP is. One may be limited only by the imagination in considering where the limits of C&DP may lie.
What were the factors early on that drove you to select your career?

From a general perspective, interests coupled with opportunities and a willingness to seek opportunities drove me to my career. Math, science, and art came naturally to me and had been interests of mine at an early age. I looked to the scientific interest as the path of opportunity. Along the way I found creativity and innovation to be a bigger part of a scientific career than I imagined in my younger days. When I eventually stepped into a formulations role, I found a rewarding and stimulating blend of science and art.

More specific factors or circumstances that led to my career include the following:
1. A seventh-grade teacher suggesting that I could be a scientist some day
2. An eleventh-hour commitment of a young graduate student from the University of Wisconsin to teach my high school chemistry class
3. The exposure of a liberal arts education
4. The mentoring efforts of college professors
5. The timely wedding of a friend
6. Timely weddings of two brothers
7. A 20-year high school class reunion
Perhaps one could say “Three Weddings and a Reunion” drove me to my current career, but in all sincerity, it is a general sense of aptitudes, chance opportunities and events, a willingness to look for opportunities, and a readiness to take on new challenges that did so.
What do you personally regard as the most significant achievement of your career so far?

In the visible aspects of my career, I regard the opportunity to speak to a broader audience on various topics at several well-regarded events and locations, including a Summer School in Medicinal Chemistry in Urbino, Italy; a Eurolabautomation Conference at Oxford University; a HPLC Conference in Granada, Spain; a Supercritical Fluid Chromatography Symposium in St. Louis, MO; and the CRS Annual Meeting venues and workshops, as my most significant achievement. These events and others allow me to share my work and experiences in ways that hopefully motivate and encourage a creative and enthusiastic spirit in others. The significance of the achievement lies not only in what may have been heard and internalized, but perhaps more importantly the extent to which it may be passed on.
What advice would you give to young graduate students as they embark on their scientific careers?

“Keep interested in your career, however humble, it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.” This line is taken from Desiderata copyrighted in 1927 by Max Ehrmann, a poet and lawyer from Terre Haute, IN, who lived from 1872 to 1945. When I originally read this in college, it was presented as being from Old St. Paul’s Church, Baltimore A.C. 1692, a claim innocently but mistakenly made. Desiderata has been used in various capacities through the years, and its clouded history likely has contributed to its appeal. Regardless, that line, “Keep interested in your career, however humble, it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time,” and perhaps the whole poem can provide some clarity and guidance depending on where your energies lie.
Can you make a few comments on your own career development, and perhaps share how you came to be where you are?

Career development depends to a large extent on situation and opportunities. Beyond that and more importantly, it is what is in one’s heart that will generate the situations and opportunities. I have to expose a bit of my past and my being to provide some level of constructive thoughts here. Intense, tenacious, and “green,” with a casual regard for seasoned experience, is one fairly accurate description of me as I left college. (I see this in some young acquaintances—smart, energetic individuals who work from an experience-limited perspective and use questionable judgment with regard to sound advice. Much of this is part of learning, and I hesitate to advise not to be this way, because it is that kind of unassuming attitude and energy that discovers new things and solves problems. Nevertheless, I do suggest prudence because reinventing what may already be known wastes time and energy.) I was rightfully humbled in a few years, as I grasped a better sense of the bigger picture and the art in the execution and guidance of efforts.

My personal charter evolved from doing the tasks at hand to doing things in the most efficient way and to the greatest benefit. More effort to work on the right things became a permeating focus. The most efficient way is not always directly from point A to point B. There is often a more effective route that has broader benefits. The more effective route may involve the people interactions that are a part of all we do. Also, and perhaps most importantly, the greatest benefit is subject to interpretation and usually involves consideration of a much broader scope.

What does all this mean or have to do with career development? For me this meant striving to genuinely listen to others; looking at projects not just from the measurable goal but from an overall scope; bringing compatible, synergic elements together to build a productive and supportive environment; using resources in the best way possible; and busying myself with the right things. I have come to see the process and output as works of art, which by definition are never finished and always subject to further improvement. I believe that going that little bit extra with a positive attitude to ensure the best chances for success, to overcome a mistake, or to meet a deadline have maximized my options and opportunities and contributed to my career development.
What are the particular ingredients for your success?

I sense a list forming here:
1. An intense, tenacious, and unassuming attitude
2. A willingness to seek and use available knowledge and resources
3. Continuous improvement
4. Genuine respect for others
5. A sense of balance
6. Avoid taking things personally
7. A supportive family
8. All things in moderation
9. An ability to laugh
10. An appreciation for small things
How do you balance career and your personal life?

I look for balance wherever possible and often find it in the long term. Short-term balance is not always possible or practical. As I sit here in my office writing this at 8:30 on a Monday evening after a full day of work while my wife is transporting our youngest to the events he needs to attend, it feels unbalanced. There have been many similar situations in the past, situations where I have been away for a week or two at a time. I have often felt that I have missed out on certain things regarding my children growing up. I strive for a longer-term balance by being fully present with them whenever I am able. Hopefully, my commitment in both ways, to career and home, will help them decide how they would like to define success. I include my wife whenever possible, and she joins me on business trips when time and budget allow. The key to bringing this all into balance is my wife, who was given the skills to manage and coordinate our household.
In what area do you think the next scientific breakthroughs will occur?
One needs a good crystal ball for this, and mine is pretty clouded right now. Perhaps the new pair of glasses I am expecting this week will help out.
What does it mean to you to be a member of CRS?

Innovation and creativity are stifled in isolation. Sharing of ideas, research, motivations, experiences, acquaintances, energy, and spirit stimulate the mind in phenomenal ways. From every annual meeting and every committee meeting, I step away with renewed energy, new ideas, and a strong desire to do more. I am pleased to have the opportunity to be a part of this organization.
Would you recommend other CRS members become involved in the workings of the Society? If so, why?

Certainly! The CRS is limited only by the energy that goes into it. Membership involvement is the greatest energy source. I will add one qualifier to this—I only recommend getting involved if you are in a place and situation to contribute in the proper spirit. If you are in that place, both you and the Society will benefit greatly. If you are not, your energy may be better placed in considering where you can help out when the time comes.

The greatest benefits of being involved are more direct connections to the many CRS resources and the opportunity to influence its future.
Please tell us about your many roles with the CRS and what you enjoy the most.

I have been involved since the 2004 CRS Annual Meeting in Hawaii. At the close of that meeting, I connected with the C&DP Committee and began attending their monthly conference calls. This led to working as a C&DP session moderator at subsequent annual meetings. I have since worked as a C&DP program co-chair, Pearls of Wisdom session moderator and speaker, Workshop speaker, and C&DP Committee chair.

I have found the C&DP Committee chair role to be the most rewarding. It has imparted a stronger connection to members of the Society and provided the greatest sense of contribution.
Is attending the CRS Annual Meeting and Exposition important to you and your career? If so, why?

Yes. Attendance at the meeting puts me in direct contact with cutting-edge controlled release technology that is directly and indirectly related to my work. This connection keeps me current and seeds ideas for the myriad of controlled release problems that I may encounter. In addition, fringe benefits include exposure of services offered by my employer, Coating Place, to those who can potentially benefit from them. Benefits to both sides are unquestionably linked to a positive influence on my career.
CRS seems to be evenly divided into thirds – beer, cocktails, and wine. To which group to you belong and why?

I belong to all three groups. I have diverse interests, with a relatively equal connection to each group, and mingle as appropriate to attend to current needs and concerns. I do not want to miss out on emerging technology or formulations from any group.
Please share a few parting words of wisdom for your colleagues in the CRS.

Thank you for all your contributions to the CRS. Whether it be your shared scientific work, your time commitments, your committee, newsletter, or education support, or your mere presence, these elements are keys to the vitality of the CRS. Our mission is to promote CR research, innovation, and education. Please consider opportunities within your sphere of influence and connection to carry out this mission. The success and scope of the CRS is limited only by the collective energy that we put into it.