HOUSTON – Ascend Performance Materials announced that company President and Chief Operating Officer Phil McDivitt has assumed the title of President, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and member of the board of directors. Ascend’s former CEO Frederic M. (Fred) Poses will retire and step down from the board of directors.

“Phil joined Ascend two years ago as President of our Nylon Division. Since joining, he has made important contributions to building a stronger team and culture, improving financial and operating disciplines and creating a more dynamic commercial organization. As envisioned by the board at the time of his hiring, Phil has demonstrated his readiness to transition to CEO,” said Barry Siadat, Chairman of Ascend.

McDivitt joined Ascend in April 2015 and was named President and Chief Operating Officer last year. Since joining the company, he has enhanced the company’s leadership position in the performance materials industry through the development of a multiyear growth strategy, an increased focus on reliability to better position Ascend as a key supplier across the nylon 66 value chain, and the acceleration of new product and process technologies to support customer growth.

Ascend board member G. Peter (Pete) D’Aloia also will retire from the company’s board of directors. D’Aloia served as a member of the board of directors and in various financial leadership roles within the company, including Chief Financial Officer.