Jan 26, 2010
ARLINGTON, VA – January 26, 2010 – Donald R. “Don” Knauss, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of The Clorox Company, received the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) William H. Albers Industry Relations Award today for his excellence in trading partner relations and consumer and community service. The award was presented at FMI’s Midwinter Executive Conference in Orlando, FL.     

     “Don is known for his down-to-earth leadership style,” said FMI president and chief executive officer Leslie G. Sarasin. “The guiding principle he lives by is to take care of his people first. He succeeds by looking out for the best interests of his team and by connecting with his customers and employees around the globe.”

     After serving as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, Knauss began his business career as a brand manager in the paper products division at Procter & Gamble. He also held positions in the Frito-Lay and Tropicana divisions of PepsiCo, Inc. Before taking the helm at Clorox, he spent 12 years with The Coca-Cola Company, including managing Coca-Cola’s businesses in 10 countries of Southern Africa, serving as president and CEO of The Minute Maid Company and finally, serving as president and CEO of Coca-Cola North America.

     Knauss has a long-standing commitment to promoting workplace equality and embracing diversity. In 2006, he was awarded The Jackie Robinson Foundation ROBIE Award for promoting and expanding opportunities for minorities in the corporate world.

     The William H. Albers Award was introduced in 1955 in honor of the first chairman of the Super Market Institute, one of FMI’s predecessor organizations. Knauss is the 66th recipient of the award.

The FMI Midwinter Executive Conference is the industry’s education and networking event for top executives of retail, wholesale and supplier companies representing the entire scope of the food and grocery products industry. The conference focuses on the major challenges and opportunities for the food industry.