VMZINC Managing Director Teaches Exploring Architecture Class

RALEIGH, NC, April 14, 2013

Daniel Nicely, managing director at VMZINC -US and Umicore Building Products, USA Inc. (http://www.vmzinc-us.com/), a leading specialist in innovative zinc products manufactured and sold by the Building Products Unit of Umicore, has completed teaching an "Exploring Architecture" course at Duke University's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, a joint venture of Duke Continuing Education and the Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development. The eight to ten week course titled "Exploring Architecture - Form & Function From the (In)famous to the Local," focused on the basics of architecture, defining form and function, and architecture as a combination and balance of science and art. Additionally, the course discussed the differences between successful and unsuccessful projects and outlined what it takes to become an architect. Those enrolled in the course also had the opportunity to learn about and study the work of well-known architect luminaries, including Frank Lloyd Wright, Oscar Niemeyer and Frank Gehry. The course was a non-graded, no-credit course open to students interested in continuing their education.

An architect by training, Daniel Nicely is responsible for managing the sales team for VMZINC -US and Umicore Building Projects for the United States and Mexico. His team is responsible for supervising all buildings and projects, vendors, representatives, sales teams, as well as marketing and distribution for the company. Nicely joined the company in 2006 and since that time has served as the architectural coordinator, director of market development and as the director of architectural sales, before taking over as managing director. Prior to joining VMZINC and Umicore, Nicely worked as a project architect in Fargo, ND, where he specialized in retail space, office buildings and homes. Working for one retail chain in particular, Nicely was in charge of the design of more than 200 stores across the United States. A native of North Dakota, he attended North Dakota State University where he earned his bachelor's degree in environmental design and his professional degree in architecture.

QUOTES:
"I am very honored to have had the opportunity to teach a course at Duke University's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute," said Nicely. "Teaching the 'Exploring Architecture' course was an incredibly rewarding, exciting and enjoyable experience for me, and I truly hope all those in attendance enjoyed the course as much as I did."

NEW MEDIA CONTENT:
VMZINC Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/vmzincusa

VMZINC Twitter page:
https://twitter.com/vmzinc

VMZINC YouTube Channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/vmzincusa

VMZINC Pod Bean:
http://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail?pid=151892

VMZINC Podcast in iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/vmzinc/id571001649?mt=2

VMZINC ZincSense Blogs:
http://www.zincsense.com
http://zincsensenews.tumblr.com/archive

ABOUT VMZINC :
VMZINC is the international brand name of rolled zinc products manufactured and sold by the Building Products Unit of Umicore. VMZINC , a leader in the French and Belgian markets and established in 15 countries worldwide, offers an unparalleled range of roofing products and systems, façade cladding, rainwater systems and ornaments. With a large focus on customer satisfaction, VMZINC 's products and services have become synonymous with high quality, innovation and environmentally sustainable design. As the first company to diversify its range of surface aspects, VMZINC offers six unique shades of preweathered zinc, in addition to natural zinc. The company strongly identifies with the Umicore Group values of responsibility, performance and progress, and for more than 10 years, VMZINC has been closely involved with Umicore initiatives to give its operations a sustainable development framework. For additional information, visit http://www.vmzinc-us.com/.

ABOUT UMICORE BUILDING PRODUCTS USA / VMZINC :
Umicore is a worldwide leading producer of architectural zinc under the brand name, VMZINC . For more than 160 years, Umicore has provided innovative solutions for building owners, architects and contractors. Umicore has offices and representatives all over the world. In the United States, Umicore Building Products USA, Inc., is based in Raleigh, N.C. For additional information, visit http://www.vmzinc-us.com/.

Kathleen Donnelly
MMI Public Relations
(919) 233-6600
kathleen@mmipublicrelations.com
http://twitter.com/MMIPR
http://www.mmipublicrelations.com