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Sterigenics acquires Nelson Laboratories of Salt Lake City

Nelson Laboratories, Inc. of Salt Lake City has been acquired by for an undisclosed amount by Sterigenics International LLC, a company from the north Chicago suburbs that provides contract sterilization, gamma technologies and medical isotopes.

A Sterigenics press release said all Nelson Labs operations in Salt Lake City will be retained, combined with Sterigenics existing microbiological and analytical testing and consulting services.

The release said Nelson Labs has 570 employees, including 300 scientists and 60 registered and specialist microbiologists working at 85 labs in five Salt Lake City buildings. Nelson Labs has more than 3,000 clients in 57 countries, providing more than 400 microbiological and analytical tests.

"Sterigenics will provide the global access and ongoing investment necessary to ensure long-term growth of the lab services business," said Jeffrey Nelson, who will be Nelson Labs' president. "This is an excellent cultural fit."

Maxine Turner elected to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce board

The Salt Lake Chamber's voice in national affairs received a boost with the election of Cuisine Unlimited founder Maxine Turner to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce board.

A 35-year veteran of the food industry, Turner has been on the chamber's Council on Small Business for two years. She founded US Welcome Pavilion and spent eight years on the International Caterers Association board.

"Small enterprises and startups form the foundation of our economic prosperity," she said, noting that her business grew from "humble roots" and now employs 150. "I am passionate about being able to advance positions that will help make a difference."

To that end, she belongs to the Economic Development Corp. of Utah, Junior Achievement, International Women's Forum and Salt Lake Community College's culinary board.

Alta Gala fundraiser will be held Friday at La Caille in Sandy

The 10th annual Alta Gala will be held Friday at La Caille Restaurant in Sandy.

Tickets cost $130 ($85 for Alta employees) for the 7 p.m. event, which raises money for three nonprofits — Alta Community Enrichment, Friends of Alta and Alta Historical Society. They promote the arts, environment and history of Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Michelle Davis is this year's recipient of the Dianne Nelson Binger Scholarship

Michelle Davis, a Highland High School graduate in the University of Utah's Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, is this year's recipient of the Dianne Nelson Binger Scholarship.

Visit Salt Lake, which promotes conventions and tourism in Salt Lake County, honors Binger (its late president and CEO, 2001-05) by helping a young woman interested in the hospitality industry.

After finishing with honors at Salt Lake Community College, Davis transfered to the U. where she is majoring in community recreation and sports management. She has a job lined up in event management with the U.'s athletic department. Her goal is to work with a professional sports team.

Visit Salt Lake also gave its sales leadership award to Clay Partain, director of sports market sales. He was praised for an extensive relationship with clients and the hotel community and his work with the Utah Sports Commission.

Cydney Neil receives lifetime achievement award from Haunted Attraction Association

Cydney Neil of Rocky Point Haunted House received a lifetime achievement award last month at the annual meeting of the Haunted Attraction Association.

Known as the "Queen of Haunts," Neil was creative director and producer of Rocky Point, which operated for nearly three decades at 3400 S. State before closing in 2007.

"Neil was a pioneer in an industry that was predominantly male dominated," said association spokeswoman Stephanie Ferraris.

"While her starting in the haunting was an accident, she quickly grew a passion for the industry and found it was a creative outlet for many of the skills she learned in the film industry," she added. "The attraction was a favorite hot spot for haunted house owners seeking inspiration — both for special effects and how the house operated as a business."