WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) Board of Directors has announced that Melissa Hockstad will become President and CEO of ACI, effective January 1, 2017.

Current President & CEO Ernie Rosenberg, who announced in May 2016 his decision to step down, will serve as advisor to ACI through January 2018.

Ms. Hockstad comes to ACI with extensive experience in the trade association and industry arenas. She joins ACI from the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) trade association, where since 2013 she has served as Vice President, Petrochemicals. Prior to that, she worked for seven years at SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association, including roles as Vice President of the Material Suppliers Council and Vice President, Science, Technology and Regulatory Affairs.

“The Board of Directors believes that Melissa Hockstad will be a strong, dynamic, and forward-thinking leader for ACI, building upon the wonderful foundation that already exists at the association,” said Tom O’Brien, ACI Board Chair and Senior Vice President, Performance Chemicals, Sasol. “This strong foundation is because of the terrific work done for many years by Ernie Rosenberg and the amazing staff at ACI.

“Melissa has the passion, energy, knowledge and vision that will help ACI maintain its reputation as a premier science-based advocacy organization and as one of the most respected trade associations in Washington, D.C.”

“ACI is a highly respected organization with an outstanding commitment to research, education, outreach and science-based advocacy,” said Hockstad. “I am excited to become a part of the ACI team and to be part of an industry that positively impacts people’s lives every day. I believe that ACI is well positioned for continued growth and success.”

Ms. Hockstad also worked from 2001-2006 as Director, Performance Improvement at SOCMA, then known as Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association. Prior to that, Melissa was a senior engineer for Basell Polyolefins (now LyndondellBasell Industries). She has a B.S. in Engineering Science from the University of Virginia and an M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Penn State University.

The American Cleaning Institute® (ACI) is the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Products Industry® and represents the $30 billion U.S. cleaning products market. ACI members include the formulators of soaps, detergents, and general cleaning products used in household, commercial, industrial and institutional settings; companies that supply ingredients and finished packaging for these products; and oleochemical producers. ACI (www.cleaninginstitute.org) and its members are dedicated to improving health and the quality of life through sustainable cleaning products and practices.