We are thrilled to announce the latest addition to the team, Billy Bender. Billy’s experience spans sales, engineering, plastics and safety in software, a textile recycling start-up and chemical companies in Los Angeles, Houston and Everberg, Belgium. Get to know this new team member.
Tell us about your role at Champion Fiberglass.
My role at Champion Fiberglass is Process & Development Engineer. I will be developing new products for Champion as well as optimizing current production processes.
Tell us about your background.
I was born and raised in the Houston area. I received my chemical engineering degree from MIT and started my career with Huntsman. I began with a product development role in the Performance Products division. Later, I shifted into a process development role in the Polyurethanes division.
In 2019, I joined a startup called Ambercycle. My role included designing and constructing a pilot plant for recycling polyester clothing. In my last role before Champion Fiberglass, I joined TrendMiner as Solution Sales, supporting the sales of an analytics software developed for engineers in process industries.
What attracted you to the role at Champion Fiberglass?
Champion Fiberglass has a culture driven on continuous improvement, that is not satisfied with the status quo. There are many project goals targeting the advancement of capabilities, and there’s the overall commitment and support necessary to accomplish these goals. I look forward to this work.
Additionally, when I came to tour the facility, there was a distinctive friendly, family-oriented environment that attracted me.
How do you spend your time when not working?
When not working, I enjoy playing basketball. My wife and I enjoy traveling and visiting other cities and national parks. However, with the addition of two baby girls in the past couple of years, our trips have been usurped by short walks to the nearby parks.
Tell us something people might not know about you.
I have a Belgian citizenship… although you wouldn’t know from my French and Flemish skills.
What are you most excited about for 2024, personally and/or professionally?
Professionally, I am most excited to help bring forward new processes and a new product line. Personally, I am looking forward to watching my girls grow and spending time with my family.
