The American Chemistry Council announced Sept. 5 it has tapped one of its top federal government lobbyists, Ross Eisenberg, to head its plastics division.
Exclusive: Eisenberg sits down with Plastics News to discuss his plans going forward with the ACC.
Eisenberg, who has been ACC's vice president of federal affairs since early 2020, takes over as vice president of ACC's plastics division after the group abruptly dismissed the previous head of the division, Joshua Baca, in June.
"Ross is incredibly well qualified to carry the torch on ACC's plastics advocacy and bring us closer to a more circular and sustainable solution for plastics in society," said ACC President and CEO Chris Jahn.
"Ross knows the issues and the key stakeholders, he can run campaigns, and he embodies the diplomatic and strategic mindset needed to work across party lines and find common ground on policies that will maximize the value — and minimize the waste — of one of the most versatile materials on the planet," Jahn said.
Before joining ACC, Eisenberg spent nearly eight years overseeing energy and resources policy for the National Association of Manufacturers and has previously worked as counsel on environment and energy with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
ACC said Eisenberg has been on The Hill's annual list of top lobbyists, Washingtonian magazine's 500 Most Influential People in Washington, D.C., and in 2023, was named a leading association lobbyist by Association Trends and CEO Update.
"I'm excited to be taking on this role at a pivotal time for the plastics industry," Eisenberg said in a statement. "ACC member companies have set ambitious goals on circularity and recyclability, to harness the industry's innovative spirit and change the way plastic is made, used and remade.
"At the same time, there is a tremendous amount of work to be done by all stakeholders — governments, nonprofits, industry — to ensure that the right policy environment exists so that we can meet these goals," he said. "I believe this industry is up to the challenge."
ACC said Eisenberg would have the additional title of president of America's Plastic Makers. The plastics division is a self-funded unit of ACC with 19 member companies.