As the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) continues to expand its work on behalf of the U.S. cleaning products industry, the association announces the retirement of two longtime leaders whose careers helped shape ACI while welcoming new professionals who will strengthen its expertise in science, member engagement, meetings and communications.
Merla Zollinger, Associate Vice President, Meetings, will retire from ACI after eight years of service. Dr. Francis Kruszewski, a senior scientific leader who has served ACI for more than 25 years, will retire on August 31. Both will continue supporting the association during transition periods to ensure continuity for ACI members and programs.
"Organizations grow strongest when they pair deep institutional knowledge with fresh perspectives," said ACI President & CEO Jennifer Abril. "Merla and Fran have helped build programs and scientific leadership that our members rely on every day. As they begin well-earned retirements, we're welcoming talented professionals who will help us continue to meet the evolving needs of our members and the cleaning products industry."
Recognizing Decades of Leadership
For decades, Merla Zollinger and Dr. Francis Kruszewski helped shape two of ACI's defining strengths: member engagement through world-class events and scientific credibility rooted in sound science. Their retirements mark the culmination of distinguished careers while reflecting ACI's commitment to ensuring a seamless transition for members through continued advisory support.
Merla Zollinger joined ACI in 2018 as Senior Director, Convention & Meetings and was later promoted to Associate Vice President, Meetings. Under her leadership, ACI’s Annual Meeting and Industry Convention grew into a premier business-to-business event for the global cleaning products supply chain. Before joining ACI, Zollinger brought nearly three decades of association meetings experience that helped elevate the organization's member events. Beginning September 1, she will move to a part-time role and continue working with ACI’s Meetings Department through the 2027 ACI Convention.
Dr. Francis Kruszewski will retire on August 31 after more than 25 years with ACI. Throughout his career, Kruszewski has been a respected scientific leader for the cleaning products industry, guiding ACI’s work on human safety, toxicology and public health while serving as a trusted resource for members, regulators and colleagues. His leadership has helped advance scientific research, support regulatory engagement and strengthen the credibility of the industry’s science, particularly through ACI’s Topical Antiseptics Program. Kruszewski will continue serving in an advisory role through the end of the year.
Building the Next Generation of Expertise
Several of ACI's newest team members are stepping into leadership roles established by longtime colleagues, ensuring continuity for members while bringing fresh perspectives and expertise to the association's work.
Jiae Kim, CMP, joins ACI as Senior Director, Meetings, where she will lead the association's conferences and executive programs—including the ACI Annual Meeting and Industry Convention and Spark Summit—following Merla Zollinger's retirement. She brings more than a decade of experience managing large-scale association and executive events, most recently at the National Association of Manufacturers.
Dr. Lilian Lam Josephson joined ACI earlier this year as Senior Director, Public Health, assuming leadership of ACI's Topical Antiseptics Program and scientific engagement with regulators following Dr. Francis Kruszewski's retirement. Prior to joining ACI, she served as Director of Undergraduate Studies and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at Johns Hopkins University and as Principal Chemist at Ecolab.
Maggie White joined ACI as Senior Director, Industry Relations, a newly created position reflecting the association's growing investment in industry engagement. She leads efforts to strengthen relationships across the cleaning products value chain, monitor emerging industry trends and business priorities, and help ensure ACI's programs and initiatives remain aligned with the evolving needs of the industry. White brings extensive experience building strategic corporate partnerships, most recently at the National Retail Federation.
Alex Marinelli joined ACI as Manager, Environmental Science, expanding the association's environmental science expertise. He joins ACI from Eurofins, where he worked in analytical chemistry, and brings additional experience in aquatic science that strengthens ACI's environmental research and technical capabilities.
Jeffrey Aguilar joined ACI as Communications Coordinator, supporting member communications, media outreach and strategic communications initiatives. He previously worked in communications at the International Monetary Fund, bringing experience in stakeholder engagement and media relations.
The American Cleaning Institute® (ACI – www.cleaninginstitute.org) is the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Products Industry® and represents the $60 billion U.S. cleaning product supply chain. ACI members include the manufacturers and 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 chemical distributors. ACI serves the growth and innovation of the U.S. cleaning products industry by advancing the health and quality of life of people and protecting our planet. ACI achieves this through a continuous commitment to sound science and being a credible voice for the cleaning products industry.