Clorox’s Vlahos and Willoughby Named to EVP-COO Roles
OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 23, 2014 –The Clorox Company (NYSE: CLX) today announced the following promotions:
Nick Vlahos, 46, currently senior vice president – chief customer officer, has been promoted to executive vice president & chief operating officer – Household, Lifestyle and Core Global Functions, a position previously held by retiring EVP-COO George Roeth. In this role, Vlahos will have responsibility for the charcoal, Glad®, cat litter, food, Brita® and Burt’s Bees® business operating units. He will also have responsibility for the company’s marketing, sales, product supply and research & development functions.
Dawn Willoughby, 45, currently senior vice president and general manager for the company’s Cleaning Division, has been promoted to executive vice president & chief operating officer – Cleaning and International, a position previously held by CEO-elect Benno Dorer. As such, Willoughby will have responsibility for the laundry, home care, international and Canada business operating units.
Commenting on these promotions, Dorer said, “The board and executive management team’s strong succession planning has enabled us to name Dawn and Nick to these roles, ensuring continuity and a smooth transition. They are tremendously capable leaders with deep experience.
“In his 19 years of service, Nick has a strong track record as a leader in the company’s sales and marketing organizations, including his current role overseeing the company’s worldwide customer organization. He has led a number of businesses, including laundry, Brita and Burt’s Bees. During his time as general manager of Burt’s Bees he led the brand’s growth into more than 40 countries. Prior to Clorox, Nick launched his career at Helene Curtis.
“During her 13 years at Clorox, Dawn moved up the ranks into general management positions, including vice president – general manager roles for Home Care and subsequently for Glad Products, where she led the brand’s focus on sustainable waste management and break-through innovation. Since January 2013, Dawn has led the company’s largest reporting segment as vice president & general manager – Cleaning Division. Prior to Clorox, Dawn spent nine years with Procter & Gamble. In May 2013, Dawn was named one of the most influential women in the Bay Area by The San Francisco Business Times.”
These promotions follow the Sept. 18, 2014, announcement of Benno Dorer’s promotion to CEO, which is effective Nov. 20, 2014, and the decision of Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer – Lifestyle, Household and Global Operating FunctionsGeorge Roeth (53) to retire from the company effective Jan. 2, 2015.
“George’s impact and leadership during his 27 years at Clorox has been immense,” said Executive Chairman-Elect Don Knauss. “As EVP and COO for Lifestyle, Household and Global Operating Functions, George has overseen development of the company’s world-class consumer insights capabilities, increased contributions of new products to company sales results and enhanced efficiency and capability in the company’s supply chain operations, among many other contributions. He has led the company’s strategy to transform the company into a more agile enterprise, to drive our business with greater speed and efficiency and focus the company on work that delivers the highest value to our consumers.”
“It’s an exciting time for Clorox,” Roeth said, “as the baton is passed to a new generation of leaders. It has been a privilege to work at such a great company with such a terrific group of people. I look forward to what the future holds and the next phase of my career, while assisting in a seamless transition at Clorox over the coming months.”
For additional biographical information and to download photos of Roeth, Vlahos and Willoughby, go to http://investors.thecloroxcompany.com/bios.cfm.
The Clorox Company
The Clorox Company is a leading multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products with approximately 8,200 employees worldwide and fiscal year 2014 sales of $5.6 billion. Clorox markets some of the most trusted and recognized consumer brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products; Pine-Sol® cleaners; Liquid Plumr® clog removers; Poett® home care products; Fresh Step® cat litter; Glad® bags, wraps and containers; Kingsford® charcoal; Hidden Valley® and KC Masterpiece® dressings and sauces; Brita® water-filtration products and Burt’s Bees® natural personal care products. The company also markets brands for professional services, including Clorox Healthcare®, HealthLink®, Aplicare® and Dispatch® infection control products for the healthcare industry. More than 80 percent of the company's brands hold the No. 1 or No. 2 market share positions in their categories. Clorox's commitment to corporate responsibility includes making a positive difference in its communities. In fiscal year 2014, The Clorox Company and The Clorox Company Foundation contributed more than $16 million in combined cash grants, product donations, cause marketing and employee volunteerism. For more information, visitTheCloroxCompany.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
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Media Relations
Kathryn Caulfield (510) 271-7209, kathryn.caulfield@clorox.com
Aileen Zerrudo (510) 326-9737, aileen.zerrudo@clorox.com
Investor Relations
Steve Austenfeld (510) 271-2270, steve.austenfeld@clorox.com
Geoff Joly (510) 271-7412, geoff.joly@clorox.com