Chief R&D Officer
The Clorox Company

Michael Ott is senior vice president and chief research and development officer of The Clorox Company.

In this role, Michael leads global research and development, and is responsible for product development and innovation, from concept to commercialization, and oversees the company’s stewardship activities and technical capability areas.

Michael has spent his entire professional career at Clorox, supporting nearly every part of the business. Prior to his current assignment, he was vice president of research and development – Specialty, helping reset the business through the creation of innovation platforms such as Fresh Step Outstretch cat litter, Glad with Clorox trash bags and Hidden Valley Special Sauce. During this time, he also served as the company’s interim chief sustainability officer, working with the businesses to achieve the company’s packaging and emissions goals.

Previously, Michael was vice president of research and development for the Cleaning, International and CloroxPro divisions. For more than a decade, Michael led initiatives resulting in significant expansion of the company’s Home Care and Professional businesses.

Starting as a bench scientist in 1996, Michael moved to the Product Supply Organization’s Global Strategic Sourcing team before returning to research and development to help launch the company’s Open Innovation capability.

He serves as chair and chief volunteer officer of the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Oakland, California, and coaches Pop Warner youth football in West Oakland.

Michael holds a doctorate in chemistry from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Villanova University.