---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001558370-21-016220"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "ECL"
cik: "0000031462"
company_name: "ECOLAB INC."
filed_at: "2021-11-18T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-28T07:10:02.746249+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Ecolab CFO Dan Schmechel to retire Dec 31; Scott Kirkland appointed CFO effective Jan 1, 2022

## Summary
- Dan Schmechel steps down as CFO effective Dec 31, 2021; retires mid-2022 after transition.
- Scott Kirkland, currently SVP & Corporate Controller, appointed CFO effective Jan 1, 2022.
- Kirkland's base salary set at $600,000; target annual cash incentive 75% of base salary.
- Kirkland eligible for long-term incentive award valued at $1,750,000 (50% PSUs, 50% NQSO).

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001558370-21-016220
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: ECL
- cik: 0000031462
- company_name: ECOLAB INC.
- filed_at: 2021-11-18T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.65
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/31462/000155837021016220/0001558370-21-016220-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/31462/000155837021016220/ecl-20211118x8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001558370-21-016220
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001558370-21-016220.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001558370-21-016220.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Daniel J. Schmechel departed as Chief Financial Officer at ECOLAB INC..
  - Action: will retire
  - Role: Chief Financial Officer
  source text: Daniel J. Schmechel will retire from his position as Ecolab’s Chief Financial Officer effective December 31, 2021.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/31462/000155837021016220/0001558370-21-016220-index.htm
- Executive change
  Scott D. Kirkland was appointed as Chief Financial Officer at ECOLAB INC..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Financial Officer
  source text: Scott D. Kirkland has been appointed to the position of Chief Financial Officer effective January 1, 2022, succeeding Mr. Schmechel.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/31462/000155837021016220/0001558370-21-016220-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.