Our Leadership Team

Patrick Schumacher has more than 25 years of experience driving operational excellence and growth across the chemicals and industrial sectors. Before joining Ascend in 2025, he served as corporate vice president at Olin Corporation, where he led the Chlor Alkali Products & Vinyls division and the global integrated supply chain. Earlier, he held senior executive roles at Celanese and leadership positions in investment banking at The Blackstone Group, UBS and Lehman Brothers. 

Tim Frielingsdorf has 25 years of controlling experience in manufacturing, sales, and projects, in addition to corporate finance. Prior to joining Ascend in 2014, he held various financial roles with public and private companies, cultivating a diverse skillset. He leads Ascend's finance and IT organizations. 

Vikram Gopal has broad experience in the advanced materials industry with expertise in research and development, product development, process engineering and applications development, and served as the Chief Technology Officer for 10 years prior to assuming his current role. Before joining Ascend in 2015, he was vice president of technology at Invista Engineering Polymer Solutions. He is credentialed as a Six Sigma black belt.

Gustavo Nechar brings decades of HR experience to Ascend. Before joining the company in 2017, he held leadership roles with Dresser-Rand, WABCO Vehicle Control Systems, Valeo and Citrosuco, a Brazilian food and beverage company.

Andrew Ralston has more than 30 years of experience practicing law in the energy and chemicals industries. He came to Ascend in 2009, following tenures as counsel for international law firms McDermott Will & Emery and Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP and senior counsel for Westlake Chemical Corp. and Valero Energy Corp.

Paul Cartlidge has been with the organization for more than 25 years and served as the Chocolate Bayou site director for 12 years before assuming his role as the senior vice president of ESSH.

Debbie Trout has more than 20 years of experience driving improvements in global supply chain performance, cost optimization, and operational excellence in the chemicals and materials industries. She joined Ascend Performance Materials in 2022 following global supply chain leadership roles at ALKEGEN, Celanese, and Cytek. 

Christelle Staller has more than 25 years’ experience in the chemical industry with expertise in technology development, strategy development and global sales. She has been with Ascend Performance Materials since 2014 in different business relevant roles and over past 5 years as EMEAI commercial director for Engineering Plastics sales.

Rachell Gold has extensive experience in human resources leadership from a variety of roles at Ascend. She currently leads culture and HR business partnership across the organization and serves as board chair of Ascend Cares.

Chris Johnson has over 25 years of experience with Ascend Performance Materials and its predecessors. He has held a number of roles in operations, maintenance and reliability, and large project execution.

Dharmendra Vahalia joined Ascend in 2012 and has held a range of senior roles, including Managing Director for India, where he led the expansion of the company’s presence and customer base in South Asia. Prior to Ascend, Dharmendra held leadership positions across manufacturing, R&D, sales, and strategy with GE Plastics (now SABIC), Honeywell, and FMC.

Steve Manning has more than 25 years of experience in engineered plastics and polymer. He has held a variety of technical and business leadership roles at Ascend since 2009, including leading technology and commercial teams for Specialty Fibers and Engineered Plastics. He joined Ascend in 2004 following technology management roles at Bayer MaterialScience.

Dave McNeece has more than 25 years of experience in commercial leadership, business development, and strategic growth in the chemicals and specialty coatings industries. He joined Ascend Performance Materials in 2017 following a role as Vice President and General Manager for Flowcrete Americas and business development positions with RPM Performance Coatings.