A changing of the guard has taken place at one of North America's largest resin distribution businesses.
Cathy Dodd has been named distribution president for Avon Lake, Ohio-based Avient Corp. In that role, she's replacing Scott Horn, who's retiring after a 39-year career in resin distribution.
Dodd also has been named a senior vice president with the firm. She's been with Avient — formerly PolyOne — since 2014, most recently as chief commercial officer.
"I'm extremely proud to lead our distribution business and exceptional team, represent our blue-chip line card of suppliers and serve our customers during this dynamic time," Dodd said in a news release.
Chairman, President and CEO Robert Patterson added that Dodd's "expertise in product development, speed to market and industry trends will provide our customers and suppliers immeasurable value as their trusted partner."
Dodd's accomplishments at Avient include the firm's transition to a more virtual customer service model, expansion of its inside sales function and the global launch of the Avient brand, officials said.
Prior to Avient, Dodd served in various roles at Eastman Chemical, Honeywell and Ashland Oil.
Horn's distribution career began in 1981 at Fiberchem Inc., which was acquired by M.A. Hanna Co. in 1997 when that firm was transitioning from mining to plastics. In 2000, Hanna merged with Geon Co. to form PolyOne.
Horn held several management roles in PolyOne's distribution unit and was named its president in 2017. The unit ranks as one of North America's largest resin distributors, with sales of almost $1.2 billion in 2019.
Patterson said that Horn "has been a longtime leader and highly respected voice in our industry, while proudly serving Avient customers through world-class service."
In addition to resin distribution, Avient ranks as one of North America's largest compounders and concentrate makers. The firm employs 9,100 and had 2019 sales of $3.7 billion.