Mike Huff currently serves as President and CEO of Ascensus. Prior to joining the team, Mike was the COO of Citadel Plastics from 2008-2010 and CEO from 2010-2015, which included a successful Wind Point sale to HGGC/Charlesbank in 2012. During Mike's tenure with Citadel, the company completed eight strategic acquisitions, two of which added over $200MM revenue and significant new technologies to the Citadel portfolio. Huff also served as an Operating Partner with Arsenal Capital from 2015-16 and a Senior Consultant with Charlesbank from 2016-17.

Prior to Citadel, Mike spent 5 years at Johns Manville, a Berkshire Hathaway company. He led the Global Reinforcements business and the Insulation Group Operations. Huff also spent 21 years with GE Plastics, serving in such roles including GM of Polyester Products, GM of High Performance Products and several operational roles. Overall, Huff has spent over 35 years in the materials space bringing thoughtful innovation and strategic management to every situation.

In addition, he’s served on several boards including Citadel, Accella Performance Materials, Elite Comfort Solutions, Haysite Reinforced Plastics and VPC. Huff has been a key driver in over 20 completed acquisitions and gained a passion for the materials business with the completion of a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

Walter brings 30 years of financial experience to Ascensus. Previously Walter served as the Chief Financial Officer for SACHEM, a specialty chemical manufacturing company. Walter also held leadership roles at Celanese, including Chief Financial Officer/Acetyls Chain Business. Prior to Celanese, Walter worked for Arthur Andersen and Hoechst AG.

Walter graduated as an Industrial Engineer with an emphasis on mechanical engineering and business administration from Fachhochschule Giessen – Friedberg.

Mario Sandoval serves as COO for Ascensus Specialties. He joined the predecessor VPC in November of 2017. Mario has over 30 years of experience in manufacturing and supply chain operations and has worked in the plastics, fiberglass, pulp/paper and chemical sectors. Prior to AS, Mario founded M&R Management LLC, a consulting company focused on improving supply chain efficiencies in acquisitions for process industry-based companies.

Mario has also worked in numerous capacities, primarily focused on global operations and supply chains for A. Schulman, Citadel Plastics, Hollingsworth and Vose, Johns Manville and General Electric. Sandoval received two Bachelor of Science degrees, one in Chemical Engineering and another in Computer Science from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Chris Anderson serves as the Chief Product, Technology, & Strategy Officer for Ascensus Specialties LLC. He joined the company in August 2017. Chris was Director of Product Management and Innovation Lead for O-I, the world’s largest glass container company enabling food and beverage brands to deliver experiences consumers desire. Prior to O-I, Chris spent 12 years at Eastman Chemical Company in numerous commercial, innovation, marketing, research and operational leadership roles. Chris received a M.S. in Polymers and Coatings Science from North Dakota State University and an MBA from University of Tennessee. Chris is also a graduate of the Wharton School of Business’ Professional Development Program.

Mayya Buffington currently serves as Chief Information Officer for Ascensus Specialties. Mayya has 20+ years of experience in the Lifes Sciences industry and 10+ years in senior leadership roles across all IT functions.

Prior to Ascensus, Mayya was the Head of IT at Catalent Pharma Solutions where she focused on driving major strategic initiatives and cultivating enterprise-wide collaboration to connect IT as the value-added resource to the business.

Dinakar (Dino) Gnanamgari serves as Ascensus Specialties Chief Commercial Officer. Dino joined the company in 2023.

Before joining Ascensus, Dino was the CCO and CTO of 5E Advanced Materials Inc focusing on Boron+ advanced materials for enabling decarbonization. Prior to that he was a Global Exec VP for Albemarle specializing in Lithium specialties used in life sciences, elastomer, electronics and other specialty markets. Dino also has held a variety of leadership positions at FMC Corporation, Axalta, Inc., and Ashland Inc giving him an extensive background in Specialty Chemicals at regional and global levels focusing on many different market segments.

Dino graduated with his Bachelors of Science from West Chester University. He then went on to earn both his Masters and Ph. D. in Inorganic Chemistry from Yale.

Leah Boyle currently serves as the Director of Human Resources of Ascensus Specialties. Leah joined the team when Ascensus acquired Callery, LLC in late 2019 where she was serving as the HR Business Partner. Before her role at Ascensus, Leah was the HR Business Partner of WESCO Distribution from 2015-2017 and the Human Resources Director of PLS Logistics Services from 2008 to 2015.

In her HR career, Leah has been part of leading business transformations, business development, talent and leadership growth initiatives, and employee engagement programs. Leah has over 15 years of experience in the human resources field in both hands-on work as well as various leadership positions.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Marketing from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and her Master’s in Human Resources from Robert Morris University. Leah is an active member of the local and national Human Resources organizations (PHRA/SHRM).

Michael Lacy serves as the Vice President of Corporate Development for Ascensus Specialties. He has over 25 years of experience in corporate development, M&A, and investing.

Before joining Ascensus, Michael was at W. R. Grace & Company, where he held the position of Director of Corporate Development, Strategy, Planning and Integration. He led the Corporate Development and Capital Planning activities globally for Grace and its four business units, and was responsible for managing M&A, strategy, investment activities, and other special projects. Prior to W. R. Grace, Michael was the Managing Director at Westover Capital where he led projects and managed corporate development and M&A activities on behalf of clients. Throughout his career, Michael has helped companies create shareholder value by leading complex transactions, improving processes, developing strategies, and managing projects for global companies. Michael also worked for Snowbird Capital, Tandus Group, and Bank of America Securities.

Michael earned a M.B.A. from the College of William and Mary and a B.A. in Government and Economics from George Mason University. He has served on the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee and is a member of the Association for Corporate Growth. His community involvement has included work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Habitat-for-Humanity, Little League, and the Boy Scouts.