When Ryan Benton joined Morbern in June 2024, he wasn’t just taking on a new job—he was stepping into a family. After years in R&D with a neighbouring paint and coatings company (where things felt a little too remote), he was ready to be where the action was. Now, as a proud Canadian working for a Canadian company, he’s thriving in a head office buzzing with collaboration, innovation, and a team that actually talks face-to-face instead of over conference calls.
From Dad Duties to R&D Brilliance
Outside of work, Ryan wears many hats: husband, hockey and baseball coach, and proud girl-dad to two teenage daughters. His oldest is following in mom’s footsteps toward teaching, while his youngest is all about science—just like dad. Early on, they twirled through gymnastics and dance, but when hockey and softball took over, Ryan laced up his coaching skates and glove. From first goals to big wins, he’s been there cheering them on, loving every second.
Morbern: More Than a Workplace, A Community
Growing up in Cornwall, Ryan always knew Morbern was a big deal. A leader in the industry? Absolutely. But more than that, it’s a pillar of the community. Their commitment to giving back really hit home for him when he participated in their annual holiday tradition—picking a child’s wish from a bowl and making it come true. This year, an 11-year-old wanted a video game, and Ryan made sure he got exactly that. Knowing his gift went directly to that child made the experience deeply rewarding—no middleman, just pure holiday magic.
The Sky’s the Limit (Literally) for R&D
Ryan’s R&D role is smack dab in the middle of everything—from sales to scheduling to sustainability. Every day brings a new puzzle to solve, and that’s what keeps it exciting. While he can’t spill too many details just yet, he’s working on some high-flying projects in the aerospace sector—just getting them off the ground (yes, pun absolutely intended!). Even better? Every project has a sustainability twist, reinforcing Morbern’s mission to innovate responsibly for future generations.
R&D is a juggling act—balancing what the owners want, what sales need, and what customers expect. The trick? Prioritizing the must-haves while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. And when it comes to sustainability, Ryan knows there’s no one-size-fits-all definition—but that’s what makes it fun.
Leadership That’s All In (Even If Their Hockey Taste is Questionable)
One of Ryan’s favorite things about Morbern? Mark and Eric’s hands-on leadership. Mark, whose father previously owned the company, is a fountain of wisdom—and Ryan is soaking it up. Of course, they don’t always see eye-to-eye on hockey, but that just makes for some good-natured ribbing.
Sure, Morbern may be leaner than some competitors, but when it comes to innovation, they take a back seat to no one. With Ryan leading the R&D charge, Morbern is pushing boundaries and proving that great ideas (and great teams) drive success—not just size.
What’s next? Stay tuned.