Avient Corporation appointed Mike Frank as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately, as the specialty materials company moves into its next phase of growth and operational execution.
Frank succeeds Ashish K. Khandpur, who stepped down as CEO and will remain with Avient in an advisory capacity through December 31, 2026, to support the leadership transition.
Avient’s board also appointed Lead Independent Director Richard H. Fearon as Non-Executive Chairman.
Frank joins Avient after serving as CEO of UPL Corporation since 2022.
UPL is a global agricultural chemicals and solutions company operating in more than 130 countries and generating approximately $5 billion in revenue.
At UPL, Frank focused on operational efficiency, innovation, product development, and commercial execution.
He previously served as Executive Vice President and CEO of Nutrien Ag Solutions from 2017 through 2021.
Nutrien Ag Solutions is a global distributor of agricultural products and services with approximately $14 billion in revenue.
Frank also spent 25 years at Monsanto in senior leadership roles.
His positions there included Global Chief Commercial Officer, Vice President of International operations, and Vice President of Global Manufacturing, Product Management and Crop Protection.
Frank also spent two years in Beijing as President of Monsanto China.
Avient said Frank’s combination of operational, commercial, supply chain, and technology commercialization experience is expected to support adoption of the company’s product pipeline and continued margin expansion.
Alongside the executive transition, Avient reaffirmed its previously issued third-quarter and full-year 2026 financial guidance.
The company plans to report third-quarter results before the market opens on November 4, 2026.
KEY QUOTES:
“Mike is an exceptional executive with a record of accomplishment in agricultural chemicals. Having led numerous complex global organizations, he brings deep expertise across every critical functional discipline—from global supply chain and commercial strategy to technology commercialization.”
“His unique combination of executive leadership, operational discipline, and commercial expertise will help accelerate market adoption of Avient’s deep product pipeline and drive continued margin expansion across our specialty portfolio.”
Richard H. Fearon, Non-Executive Chairman of Avient
“I am honored to take on the role of CEO at Avient. I look forward to building on the strong foundation already in place, distinguished by Avient’s innovative technologies, talented team and loyal customers.”
“My priority will be to partner with the Board and management team to sharpen execution and drive performance, while advancing Avient’s mission of innovating materials solutions that help our customers succeed and enable a more sustainable world.”
Mike Frank, President and CEO of Avient
