The McCrone Group names Charles A. Zona first Dean of the College of Microscopy

THE McCRONE GROUP NAMES CHARLES A. ZONA FIRST DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF MICROSCOPY

WESTMONT, IL (January 29, 2007) – The McCrone Group Inc., internationally recognized as a world leader in microanalysis and the nation’s Premier Microscopy Resource, announced today that Charles A. Zona was named as the first Dean of the new state-of-the-art College of Microscopy and Learning Center in Westmont, Illinois. Zona will have academic and administrative responsibility for the College of Microscopy which relocated into the newly completed 40,000 square-foot facility this month.

The College of Microscopy, a highly specialized academic institution offering advanced professional training in analytical microscopy techniques, has the largest array of advanced modern microscopy instrumentation within any one location in the United States. The experienced staff of The McCrone Group has been teaching scientists and researchers for more than 45 years. The new facility includes an unprecedented range of advanced analytical and microscopy instrumentation for student learning.

Zona joined The McCrone Group in 1995. He was named Vice President in 2003 and has served as Director of Instrument Sales for the McCrone Microscopes & Accessories Division and Director of Education for the College of Microscopy. Just prior to joining The McCrone Group he was a Research Microscopist performing materials analysis and teaching microscopy and prior to that an Environmental Microscopist at Carnow, Conibear and Associates.

The College of Microscopy specializes in training materials scientists, crime lab personnel, First Responders, researchers, and technicians how to locate and identify unknown or suspect materials using light microscopy, electron microscopy, and micro-FTIR/Raman spectroscopy. Today, the College of Microscopy provides the most comprehensive learning and advanced microscopy resources available. This includes more than 40 accredited courses in the many advanced analytical methods used in materials analysis, and state-of-the-art resources including the McCrone online Atlas of Microscopic Particles (www.mccroneatlas.com) and their complimentary subscription-based peer-reviewed journal, ModernMicroscopy.com.

“The College of Microscopy was established in 2004 to help prepare companies and the nation to solve difficult materials analysis problems,” said Donald A. Brooks, President & CEO, The McCrone Group. “Under Chuck Zona’s leadership as our first Dean we will be able to ensure that the skills and analytical capabilities of scientists, researchers, and technicians will continue to be developed at the highest level,” Brooks said.

“I am honored to be named the first Dean of The College of Microscopy,” Zona said. “We have seen a tremendous demand on a worldwide basis for sophisticated techniques and specialists in all areas of forensics science and materials analysis and over the past five years, especially since 9/11,” he said.

“At the College of Microscopy, we will fully address and serve the growing demands in the areas of homeland security, forensics and criminal investigation, pharmaceuticals/biotechnology development and electronic components,” Zona said. “First Responders, evidence technicians, scientists working in the lab on a daily basis, educators/science teachers, and ambitious science students have been among those seeking our classrooms first,” he added.

The College of Microscopy has been established to support the training of more than 1,000 students per year and presently offers more than 40 accredited courses. Long-range plans for the College of Microscopy include offering formalized distance learning and advanced degree programs. Zona earned a both Bachelor of Science Degree and Master of Science in Forensic Science at The University of Illinois.

Many of the College of Microscopy instructors are internationally recognized experts in the field of materials analysis and microscopy. They offer a unique combination of theoretical and practical hands-on experience, and are valued for their real-world problem solving laboratory analyses and broad subject matter expertise. For more information regarding the College of Microscopy and upcoming courses, visit www.collegeofmicroscopy.com.

About The McCrone Group
Founded in 1956 and located in Westmont, IL, The McCrone Group, Inc., is a world leader in materials analysis and is internationally recognized as the premier microscopy resource. The company is comprised of three business units: McCrone Associates, the analytical service division; McCrone Microscopes & Accessories, the instrument sales division; and the College of Microscopy, the education division that provides training to industry and government scientists worldwide. For more information about The McCrone Group, please visit www.mccrone.com.

McCrone Associates, the analytical service division, is focused on solving some of the most difficult materials analysis problems along with the day-to-day needs of forensic, pharmaceutical, materials, and environmental laboratories, scientific researchers, and government organizations worldwide.

McCrone Microscopes & Accessories, the instrument sales division, offers a complete line of microscopes and microscopy related instruments, reference standards, and resource books.

The College of Microscopy, the Group’s new Learning Center, provides training to both industry and government scientists worldwide. The staff of The McCrone Group has been teaching scientists and researchers for more than 40 years. Today The College of Microscopy offers more than 35 courses a year to the technical and educational community around the world.

The Atlas of Microscopic Particles (www.mccroneatlas.com), the Group’s new online particle resource, is the first of its kind internet-based particle reference for scientists, microscopists, and criminalists engaged in the materials identification area.