Former Socma President Joe Acker Passes Away

摘要

Joe Acker, the former president and CEO of Socma, died on Monday after a battle with pancreatic cancer, Socma says. Acker, who was 66, retired from Socma at the end of last year. Acker was appointed president of the association in 2003 after serving on Socma’s board of governors for more than a decade. Under Acker’s leadership, Socma established ChemSteward’s, its own environment, health, safety, and security program tailored specifically to small and mid- sized companies. “As president, he propelled Socma to new heights by raising its profile on Capitol Hill, solidifying key alliances with regulatory agencies, growing its international membership base and encouraging all members to take a more active role in the associa- tion’s lobbying efforts,” Socma says. “Joe Acker was a leader who was passionate about his industry and its defense," says Ernie Rosenberg, president and CEO of the American Cleaning Institute, formerly called the Soap and Detergent Association. "He was quick to laugh, quick to offer help. And he was a real gentleman, display- ing a grace and caring for others that's far too rare. For him to consider you a friend was a compliment of the highest order. All of his colleagues will miss him dearly.”