Robert Poupard is the Senior Technology Manager and Manager of Technical Service for the Color, Additives, and Inks business unit in the North American (NA) region at Avient Corporation. Avient is a leading provider of specialized and sustainable materials solutions and services. Robert started working with Avient (then Clariant Masterbatch business) in 2001 as a technical and sales trainee. Over the years, he has held various technical roles, including lab management and technical service, and has worked in several manufacturing locations across the U.S. He spent three years in the fiber market out of Dalton, GA, and ten years managing the design lab in Minneapolis, MN, where he developed a diverse product line of color and additive custom products. In Minneapolis, Robert also worked for two years supporting the Operations Excellence program. Since 2015, Robert has been living in his home state of Michigan. He holds a bachelor's degree in applied chemistry focused on plastics and rubber from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI.