Renowned Microbiologist and GOJO Leader, Dave Macinga, Honored Posthumously with the 2024 ACI Distinguished Service Award

The late Dr. David Macinga, who served as Vice President of Product Development and Regulatory Affairs, GOJO Industries, until his passing in June 2023, is the 2024 recipient of the ACI Elva Walker Spillane Distinguished Service Award.

This posthumous honor is for Dave’s many years of outstanding service to the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) and the cleaning products industry. Dave was actively engaged at ACI in a range of areas, especially the topical antiseptics program, where he provided invaluable expertise and insights as part of ACI’s extensive efforts to protect public health and safety and preserve the marketplace for these products and chemistries.

In addition to his active engagement in ACI’s antiseptics research program, he provided leadership and strategic thinking on behalf of the industry. He was a key voice in discussions with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“Dave Macinga was an outstanding leader, collaborator, colleague and friend,” said Melissa Hockstad, ACI President & CEO. “Most importantly, he was a beloved husband and father and is sorely missed by so many. We are proud to honor Dave’s contributions to ACI and the industry at-large.”

Over the years, Dave was also an active participant in ACI’s Research, Technology, and Regulation Committee, Disinfectants Tiger Team, Microbial Cleaning Products Task Force and various regulatory and government affairs initiatives. He was also a founding member of the Future Leaders, serving as its first Board Treasurer.

Dave was an integral leader at GOJO from 2003 to 2023, developing new and innovative antimicrobial and antiviral skin and surface hygiene products. He led a team of scientists and regulatory specialists responsible for developing and commercializing hand hygiene solutions, topical antiseptics, and surface disinfectants for domestic and global markets. His overall responsibility included formulation development, clinical microbiology, analytical chemistry, package testing, regulatory affairs and product safety. He was engaged in industry efforts to provide additional safety and efficacy data to support finalizing FDA regulations governing skin antiseptics used in healthcare and consumer settings. He was widely published since 1995 in antimicrobial resistance and hand hygiene.

Prior to GOJO, Dave worked at Procter & Gamble and Schering-Plough Research Institute.

ACI’s Distinguished Service Award is named in honor of the late Elva Walker Spillane, the former National Purity LLC chief executive who served on the association’s Board for 20 years. 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.

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.