A leading chemical distributor executive has been presented with a prestigious national award for his leadership, community service, and educational outreach on behalf of the chemical industry.

The Chemical Educational Foundation (CEF) honored Richard (Dick) A. Peacock, President of PVS-Nolwood Chemicals, Inc., located in Detroit, MI, with the Vanguard Award in a ceremony held May 14 in Washington, DC. The Award was given to Mr. Peacock by Michigan Congressman Thaddeus McCotter.

For over a decade CEF has presented the Vanguard Award to an individual whose leadership, commitment, and outreach efforts have helped advance the Foundation’s mission of fostering a greater understanding of chemistry, the benefits of chemicals, and the importance of chemical safety awareness. 

Representative McCotter’s award presentation was preceded by remarks from Kristine Cohn, Secretary’s Regional Representative, Region V, for the U.S. Department of Education. The importance of developing community partnerships to promote chemistry education and encourage the educational development of students was a main focus of the Award presentation.

“I truly believe it is important to honor those individuals and organizations that are taking a leading role in the quest to bring greater educational opportunities to students,” stated Congressman McCotter. “It is especially fulfilling when the individual being honored is from my own district. The leadership that Mr. Peacock has shown is a shining example of how the activities of one company can so greatly impact the community,” he added.

Mr. Peacock was honored for his leadership and active participation and promotion of chemistry education in the Detroit area. His company’s outreach initiatives include aiding in the development of achievement programs in local schools, adopting an inner city elementary school, and the implementation of CEF’s You Be The Chemist (YBTC) kit (a hands-on chemistry lesson plan guide) and Challenge (an academic question and answer competition that explores important chemistry concepts, discoveries, and historical facts).

Richard (Dick) A. Peacock is President of PVS-Nolwood Chemicals, Inc., a Detroit-based chemical distributor. Prior to joining PVS-Nolwood in 1988, he was employed for 20 years with PPG Industries in the following capacities: Sales Representative in Pittsburgh, New York City, and Philadelphia; Regional Sales Manager in Boston and Chicago; and Chlorine Business Manager in Pittsburgh.

Mr. Peacock has been actively involved with the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) since 1989. He has served on several NACD committees over the years. Currently, he is serving a three-year term on the NACD Board of Directors. He is also the NACD Board liaison to the Government Affairs Committee. Previously, Mr. Peacock served on the Program Development Committee for the NACD Educational Foundation, which today is known as the Chemical Educational Foundation (CEF).

Under Mr. Peacock’s leadership, PVS-Nolwood has actively promoted chemistry education in the Detroit area. The company’s outreach initiatives include aiding in the development of achievement programs in local schools, adopting an inner city elementary school, and the implementation of CEF’s educational programs. 

In addition to his involvement with NACD and CEF, Mr. Peacock also serves on the Executive Committee of Omni-Chem and is a member of the Finance Committee of the Detroit Golf Club.

Mr. Peacock was born in Pittsburgh. He graduated from Purdue University and received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 1967. He has been married to Lucy for 39 years and has three children and three grandchildren.