The Division of Business Development & Management (BMGT) of the American Chemical Society (ACS) recognizes three outstanding chemists for their contribution to the leadership and management of the chemical enterprise with their selection as 2025 BMGT Awards recipients.

Congratulations!

Mick Hurrey has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the BMGT Nexus Award.

The Nexus Award was established to recognize strategic, outstanding, and sustainable contributions to the ACS Division of Business Development & Management – the nexus of chemistry, business, and management.

Matt Schombs has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Dr. Nina I. McClelland Emerging Leader Award.

The McClelland Award was established to recognize an outstanding individual at a mid-level career position who has demonstrated success and possesses significant promise for contributions to business development and management within the chemical enterprise.

Bhaskar Venepalli has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Henry F. Whalen, Jr. Award for Excellence in Business Development and Management in the Chemical Enterprise.

The Whalen Award was established in 2002 to recognize outstanding contributions to the development and management of the business within the chemical enterprise and is presented annually by the ACS Division of Business Development & Management (BMGT).

Join us at ACS Fall 2025 to celebrate the awardees

BMGT Reception and Award Presentations

Monday, August 18: 5:15 PM EDT (Download a calendar invite)
Clyde‘s of Gallery Place (Google Maps)

Honoring:

• Nexus Awardee Mick Hurrey, Vice President of Pharmaceutical Development at Revagenix
• Nina I. McClelland Awardee Matt Schombs, Director, Vaccine Analytical R&D at Merck
• Henry F. Whalen Jr. Awardee Bhaskar Venepalli, President & CEO  of CiVentiChem

Additional BMGT Sessions at ACS Fall 2025

Chemistry Meets Business: Building Careers in Business and Management

Monday, August 18: 8:00-11:25 AM EDT (Download a calendar invite)
Walter E. Washington Convention Center – Room East Overlook

This symposium highlights diverse career paths for chemists in business and management roles, offering insights into career development, successful transitions, and practical advice from professionals in the industry. Attendees will hear firsthand experiences from chemists who have leveraged their scientific backgrounds to excel in business oriented roles. The program also honors the Business Development and Management (BMGT) Division’s award winners, celebrating their exceptional contributions to the field and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Policy Implications for the Chemical Enterprise

Monday, August 18: 2:00-4:40 PM EDT (Download a calendar invite)
Walter E. Washington Convention Center – Room East Overlook

This symposium explores how science policy shapes the future of energy technologies and manufacturing in the U.S. chemical industry. Topics include an economic outlook for the sector, the role of academic research in advancing sustainable technologies, the implications of recent U.S. LNG export policies, and discussions on patent development and chemical safety. By bringing together policy, research, and industry perspectives, the symposium highlights how coordinated strategies can foster innovation, address environmental challenges, and enhance the global competitiveness of the U.S. chemical sector.