At 85, UOP chemist honored by President Obama

Edith M. Flanigen, a consultant and retired award-winning chemist with UOP LLC in Des Plaines, was getting ready for a major reception at the Ritz Carlton in Washington, D.C., last week and looked forward to joining three tables filled with her relatives.

It wasn't a birthday celebration for the 85 year old. It was a reception for those who received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation Award. During her 42-year career, she invented more than 200 different synthetic materials and earned 109 patents. See more on Page 3.

Geneva chef tapped for TV

Pastry Chef Alain Roby, owner of the All Chocolate Kitchen in Geneva, will be making a 10-foot long sugar candy cane to honor the second anniversary of his world record-breaking candy cane of 52-feet long. He'll also judge his first-annual gingerbread house competition on Dec. 6. Also last week, a production crew for the Food Network filmed him working with chocolate for a feature coming in February. They also captured him making the candy cane and that will appear on the Food Network around the holidays. He's even been approached to do a reality show for TLC, but turned it down. “It would just take up too much space and I'd have to close the store,” he said.

FastTracks

Steve McShane, founder and CEO of Midtronics Inc. in Willowbrook, received the 2014 McGladrey Lifetime Achievement Award during the firm's annual Manufacturing & Distribution Executive Summit last week. McGladrey LLP is a provider of assurance, tax and consulting services. ... Dani McDonald is the new store manager at the LUSH store opening on Nov. 28 at Oakbrook Center. The 615-square-foot cosmetic heaven will be the 215th to open nationwide. The Oak Brook store created 70 new jobs.

Steve Serdar of Waukegan has been named director of food and beverage of the Union League Club of Chicago, ... Magan Ascher is the new director of visitor services at Cantigny Park in Wheaton.