After 20 years of leading various teams at St. Paul-based Ecolab, Darrell Brown—an Aussie with global training and a clear beat on Minnesota culture—was promoted in October to the No. 2 spot, where he will work hand-in-hand with CEO Christophe Beck on setting the company’s priorities. That encompasses innovative water and energy management, infection prevention, sustainability, supply chain management, and business growth. “One thing is clear: Our people have been running hard for the last few years to set us up for continued success,” Brown says. “Our talented employees are our biggest asset, and I will continue to focus on building digitally savvy, diverse, and inclusive teams.”

Return to TCB 100 for 2023