William H. Schmitt is a graduate of Drake University and is the Vice President of Research and Development at Phoenix Brands, the most rapidly growing home care company in North America.  He has had a long and successful career in the home care/personal care industry, and has worked with many groups of researchers to reach new heights of product innovation.

Bill was the Senior Vice President of Research and Development for Unilever USA, and head of the Unilever Global Skin Care unit in Trumbull, CT.  He was also Chief Operations Officer of the Chesebrough-Pond’s business unit of Unilever.  Bill was the R&D Executive in charge of all Chesebrough-Pond’s operating divisions, including Prestige (Elizabeth Arden and Prince Matchabelli), Personal Care (Vaseline, Dove, Pond’s), Foods (Ragu), and Hospital Products (CP Division).  He has been Chairman of the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association Scientific Advisory Committee for three years and of the CTFA International Committee for six years.