In memory: Trexel CEO Brian Bechard dies at 48

Trexel Inc., which developed the injection molding foaming technology MuCell, has announced that CEO and President Brian Bechard died Aug. 6.

Bechard, 48, a 1996 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, had a heart attack while competing in a rowing race on the Merrimack River, according to Trexel, which is based in Wilmington, Mass.

Bechard had worked at Trexel since 2015, coming to the company after running businesses for Synventive Molding Solutions, and an injection and extrusion molding plant for Avery Dennison. He also previously served as a combat engineering officer in the U.S. Army.

He received his Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.

He is survived by his wife, Patty, and sons Nathan and Ethan.

According to a statement provided by Trexel, “He was a man of integrity and strength, always having a positive, but straightforward outlook. These attributes served him and Trexel well as he deepened and expanded our relationships with our key partners globally.”

Trexel, which has undertaken a search for a new CEO, named David Bernstein, chairman of the board, as interim CEO. Levi Kishbaugh, VP of engineering, and Petr Janik, VP of finance and operations, will handle day-to-day management of the company.