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Dr. Larry Berger, a long-time member of the American Cleaning Institute’s (ACI) Board of Directors and recently retired Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer of Ecolab Inc., has been named the 2026 recipient of ACI’s Elva Walker Spillane Distinguished Service Award.
The award honors an individual for extensive or exceptional service to ACI, who promoted the growth and interests of the Institute and the industries it represents and who exercised outstanding leadership within ACI. This year's award recognizes Dr. Berger’s many years of outstanding service to ACI and the cleaning products industry. He served on ACI’s Board of Directors since 2008, including several years on the Board’s Executive Committee, where he provided strategic counsel and industry insight on critical issues affecting the cleaning product supply chain.
Throughout his career, Dr. Berger has been a champion of innovation, collaboration, and scientific leadership. His commitment to sharing perspectives and fostering thoughtful dialogue helped inform initiatives that continue to strengthen Ecolab’s mission. His focus on expanding the global RD&E network and cultivating a high-performing, execution-driven, and inclusive culture laid a strong foundation for the company’s long-term innovation and growth.
In addition to his corporate leadership, Dr. Berger previously served as a long-standing member of the Ecolab Foundation, helping guide funding decisions that support communities around the world. He is also an inaugural member of the Technical Advisory Board for the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Environment and continues to advise organizations and leaders across the industry.
Before joining Ecolab in 2008, Dr. Berger spent 22 years at DuPont, holding senior leadership roles in technology and business development. That depth of experience shaped the expertise and perspective he brought to his work with ACI.
“Over many years, Larry Berger’s service on our Board consistently aligned with ACI’s mission to promote safety, sustainability, and consumer and customer trust, making him a pivotal figure in guiding the industry through evolving challenges and opportunities,” says Jennifer Abril, ACI’s President & CEO. “He has been a trusted counselor and supporter to ACI and is richly deserving of this honor.”