Melissa Hockstad Named ACI President & CEO

 

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

Hockstad comes to ACI with extensive experience in the trade association and industry arenas, according to the Institute. She joins ACI from the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) trade association, where since 2013 she has served as VP-petrochemicals. Prior to that, she worked for seven years at SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association, including roles as VP-material suppliers council and VP-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 SVP-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, DC.
 

“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.”


Hockstad also worked from 2001-2006 as director, performance improvement at SOCMA, then known as Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association. Prior to that, she was a senior engineer for Basell Polyolefins (now LyndondellBasell Industries). She has a BS in engineering science from the University of Virginia and an MS in materials science and engineering from Penn State University.