---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-26-418501"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "AVNT"
cik: "0001122976"
company_name: "AVIENT CORP"
filed_at: "2026-10-09T11:10:32+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-10-12T15:19:25.515714+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Avient names Mike Frank CEO, replacing Ashish Khandpur; reaffirms Q3 and FY 2026 guidance

## Summary
- Mike Frank, ex-CEO of UPL and former Nutrien Ag Solutions CEO, named President and CEO effective Oct 7, 2026; succeeds Dr. Ashish Khandpur, who stays as advisor through Dec 31, 2026.
- Richard H. Fearon, Lead Independent Director, elected Non-Executive Chairman of the Board.
- Frank's pay: $1,222,000 base salary, 120% target bonus, 2027 LTI target 510% of salary, $1.6M sign-on cash, ~$5M RSUs and ~$11.4M target cash performance units.
- Khandpur gets two years of salary continuation under the Executive Severance Plan plus special vesting of 38,047 RSUs on Dec 1, 2026 and 38,046 RSUs on Dec 1, 2027.
- Q3 and FY 2026 guidance reaffirmed as previously provided Aug 6, 2026; Q3 2026 results due before market open Nov 4, 2026, with webcast at 8:00 a.m. ET.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-26-418501
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: AVNT
- cik: 0001122976
- company_name: AVIENT CORP
- filed_at: 2026-10-09T11:10:32+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.7
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 2.02, 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1122976/000119312526418501/0001193125-26-418501-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1122976/000119312526418501/d158162d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-418501
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-418501.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-418501.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Michael J. Frank was elected as member of the Board at AVIENT CORP.
  - Action: elected
  - Role: member of the Board
  source text: elected Michael J. Frank as President and Chief Executive Officer, and as a member of the Board, effective October 7, 2026
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1122976/000119312526418501/0001193125-26-418501-index.htm
- Executive change
  Dr. Ashish K. Khandpur departed as Chief Executive Officer at AVIENT CORP.
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Mr. Frank succeeds Dr. Ashish K. Khandpur, who will continue to provide advisory consulting support through 2026.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1122976/000119312526418501/0001193125-26-418501-index.htm
- Executive change
  Michael J. Frank was elected as President and Chief Executive Officer at AVIENT CORP.
  - Action: elected
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On October 7, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company elected Michael J. Frank as President and Chief Executive Officer, and as a member of the Board, effective October 7, 2026 (the “Effective Date).
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1122976/000119312526418501/0001193125-26-418501-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.