Clorox Names Laura Stein Senior VP-General Counsel; Announces Retireme

    Business Editors

    OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 2005--The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX)(PCX:CLX) today announced that Laura Stein has been named senior vice president -- general counsel, effective Jan. 18, 2005. Reporting to President and CEO Jerry Johnston, Stein will oversee the company's legal services and internal audit functions. She has been elected an officer of the company by Clorox's board of directors, and has been appointed a member of the company's management executive committee.
    Stein, 43, brings more than 17 years of corporate legal and governance experience. She was senior vice president - general counsel for H.J. Heinz Company where she was responsible for Heinz's global legal, ethics, compliance, corporate secretary and enterprise risk management matters. Stein joined Heinz in 2000 after serving eight years with The Clorox Company, most recently as assistant general counsel -- regulatory affairs. Prior to that, Stein was a business lawyer with Morrison & Forester in San Francisco. Stein grew up in Minneapolis and earned her law degree from Harvard Law School and undergraduate and master's degrees from Dartmouth College.
    "I'm delighted Laura is returning to Clorox," said Johnston. "She has a wealth of experience in the consumer packaged goods industry and knows Clorox well. The experience she gained as general counsel at Heinz, particularly in this heightened period of corporate governance, will be a tremendous asset."
    Laura Stein succeeds Peter D. Bewley, who is retiring after nearly seven years with the company. Bewley, 58, joined Clorox in 1998 as senior vice president -- general counsel and secretary.
    "Pete leaves behind a strong legacy at Clorox and a distinguished legal career," said Johnston. "He has such tremendous business expertise, and we have truly valued his strong leadership in corporate governance and his exemplary role in demonstrating our company values every day."
    Photos and additional biographical information about Laura Stein and Peter Bewley can be accessed at www.TheCloroxCompany.com.

    About The Clorox Company

    The Clorox Company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer products with fiscal year 2004 revenues of $4.3 billion. Clorox markets some of consumers' most trusted and recognized brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products, Armor All(R) and STP(R) auto care products, Fresh Step(R) and Scoop Away(R) cat litters, Kingsford(R) charcoal briquets, Hidden Valley(R) and K C Masterpiece(R) dressings and sauces, Brita(R) water-filtration systems, and Glad(R) bags, wraps and containers. With 8,600 employees worldwide, the company manufactures products in 22 countries and markets them in more than 120 countries. Clorox is committed to making a positive difference in the communities where its employees work and live. Founded in 1980, The Clorox Company Foundation has awarded cash grants totaling more than $58.3 million to nonprofit organizations, schools and colleges; and in fiscal 2004 alone made product donations valued at $5 million. For more information about Clorox, visit www.TheCloroxCompany.com.

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CONTACT: The Clorox Company Kathryn Caulfield, 510-271-7209 (Media Relations) Steve Austenfeld, 510-271-2270 (Investor Relations) Michael Iracondo, 510-271-2156 (Investor Relations)

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: LEGAL/LAW CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT CHANGES SOURCE: The Clorox Company

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