New CEO for Clorox

The Clorox Company’s board of directors has promoted Benno Dorer to CEO, effective Nov. 20. At that time, Donald R. Knauss will continue serving on the board in a newly created executive chairman role.

Knauss has served as chairman and CEO of the company since October 2006. Since January 2013, Dorer, 50, has served as EVP and chief operating officer, cleaning, international and corporate strategy.

"Don has done a tremendous job leading the company through its Centennial Strategy and establishing the company's 2020 Strategy," said Robert W. Matschullat, who will remain lead director of the board. "I'm pleased that the board and executive management team's dedication to succession planning allows us to appoint such a strong and capable leader as Benno Dorer to the CEO role and that it will enable a smooth transition."

"With such a strong successor and management team, it's a great time to turn the helm over to Benno while I continue as chairman of the board," Knauss said. "Throughout his career, Benno has demonstrated a track record of successfully achieving results and driving change. He has the broad perspective, international experience and strong strategic skills to lead Clorox into the future. I look forward to supporting him as Clorox's new CEO."

"I am tremendously honored and excited to have the opportunity to run The Clorox Company," Dorer said. "I can't wait to start working with the executive team and leaders across the company to build on the strategy Don has led over the past eight years."

Knauss joined Clorox following a career at The Coca-Cola Company where he last served as president and chief operating officer of Coca-Cola North America. He began his career at Coca-Cola in 1994 as SVP of marketing for Minute Maid. In 1996, he was promoted to SVP and GM for Minute Maid's U.S. retail operations. He next served as president for Coca-Cola in Southern Africa. Before joining Coca-Cola, Knauss held various positions in marketing and sales with PepsiCo and Procter & Gamble. Prior to launching his business career, Knauss served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps.

Dorer started his career at Procter & Gamble in 1990 where he held marketing and sales positions across a range of categories and countries. He joined Clorox in 2005 as VP and GM, Glad Products. In March 2007, Dorer was named VP and GM of the household division, and subsequently went on to lead the company's cleaning division and Canada. In 2013, he was promoted to his current role as EVP and chief operating officer.