The American Cleaning Institute (ACI), the trade association for the cleaning products supply chain, promoted Dr. James Kim to senior vice president of Science & Regulatory Affairs and welcomed Jessica Eason as manager of Environmental & Scientific Affairs.

In her role, Eason will be responsible for managing scientific research and outreach on the environmental safety of cleaning products and their ingredients. She will also manage research initiatives related to chemical databases, environmental modeling, sustainability and science education.

Eason joins ACI from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In this role, she provided technical oversight and instruction for testimonies, legislative analysis and congressional correspondence. In addition, Eason assisted in the facilitation of relationships and legislative engagement between NOAA, congress, indigenous communities and intergovernmental stakeholders.

Eason graduated from Brown University (Providence, RI) with a B.S. in Marine Biology, University of Rhode Island (Kingston, RI) with a Masters of Neuroscience and Pennsylvania State University (University Park, PA) with a Masters of Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Bioscience (MCIBS).

James Kim, Ph.D., DABT, M.H.S., joined ACI in 2018 and previously served as vice president of Science & Regulatory Affairs. Dr. Kim’s expertise in toxicology and risk assessment has enhanced ACI’s capabilities as a leading voice in industry. 

Prior to joining ACI, Dr. Kim served in scientific roles at the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Statistical and Science Policy Branch. OMB is part of the Executive Office of the President. Prior to his government service, Dr. Kim worked for International Life Sciences Institute’s Health and Environmental Sciences Institute (HESI). Dr. Kim has also authored or co-authored more than 30 research articles.

“The addition of Jessica and the promotion of Jim Kim will strengthen ACI’s technical and regulatory team, continuing ACI’s legacy as a leading science-based organization,” says Melissa Hockstad, ACI president & CEO. “The work that Jessica and Jim do makes them invaluable assets to our member companies, emphasizing the importance of safe cleaning products and environmental responsibility.”