On March 1, the directors of Clorox received grim news both personal and professional: The company’s chairman and chief executive, Gerald Johnston, had suffered a heart attack.

EXCERPT

The excerpt below is from the March 7, 2006, Clorox announcement. Emphasis added:

Johnston

The Clorox Company today announced that Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Gerald "Jerry" Johnston, 58, remains hospitalized after suffering a heart attack on March 1. As part of its succession planning, the company maintains a contingency plan in the event the CEO is temporarily incapacitated. In accordance with that plan, Robert "Bob" Matschullat, presiding director of the company's board of directors, will temporarily serve as the company's interim chairman and interim chief executive officer while Johnston is recovering.

Matschullat

"We continue to send our best wishes and strong support to Jerry and his family," Matschullat said. "The board of directors has tremendous confidence in Clorox's management team and the executive committee's ability to effectively run the business with the board's support during this interim period. The company is executing against a set of well-established strategies and operating plans. Everyone at Clorox remains committed to continue driving the business in Jerry's absence."

In compliance with NYSE rules and the company's corporate governance guidelines, during this interim period, board member Gary G. Michael will serve as the interim presiding director of the company's board of directors, and board member Daniel Boggan, Jr., will serve as interim chairman of the nominating and governance committee of the board.

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